What is the Difference Between Hemostasis and Coagulation?

The main difference between hemostasis and coagulation is that hemostasis is the overall process that stops bleeding due to a trauma, while coagulation is a part of this process that involves the formation of a blood clot.

Hemostasis is a natural process activated to stop bleeding from an injury site. It occurs via three ways:

1. Constriction of the blood vessel
2. Formation of a temporary "platelet plug"
3. Activation of the coagulation cascade

Coagulation, or clotting, is the process through which blood changes from a liquid to a gel-like state. This is achieved through a series of steps involving platelets, fibrin, and fibrinogen. Coagulation is part of a larger process called hemostasis, which is the way that the body makes bleeding stop when it needs to. When a blood vessel breaks, as with a cut or other injury, coagulation helps form a clot made from a substance called fibrin. The clot seals the hole until the tissues can repair themselves.

Comparative Table: Hemostasis vs Coagulation

Here is a table summarizing the differences between hemostasis and coagulation:

In summary, hemostasis is the overall process that stops bleeding from an injury site, while coagulation is the final step of hemostasis, where clotting factors promote the formation of a fibrin clot to help stop the bleeding.