Coagulant, koh AG yuh luhnt, is any substance that causes a fluid to clot, or thicken. Milk curdles because rennin, an enzyme, causes clots to form. One of the most important coagulant actions is the clotting of blood. Scientists have found many blood-clotting factors. The combined action of all of these factors produces a blood clot. If any one clotting factor is missing, the tendency for blood to clot is reduced. Doctors then try to supply the missing substance. For example, in the blood disease hemophilia, doctors use an antihemophilic globulin to help the blood to clot. In other diseases, they may give the patient vitamin K or fibrinogen to induce the blood to clot and control hemorrhages.
Hemophilia, hee muh FIHL ee uh, is a hereditary disease in which the blood does not clot normally. People with hemophilia, called hemophiliacs,… More>>
Angina pectoris, an JY nuh PEHK tuhr ihs, is chest discomfort or pain that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is limited. The word angina… More>>
Blue baby is a term used to describe a newborn infant whose skin appears blue. The condition of having bluish skin is called cyanosis. It occurs… More>>
Hemorrhoids, HEHM uh roydz, are enlargements of the veins of the rectum. This condition is often called piles. There are two sets of veins in the… More>>
Myocarditis, my oh kahr DY tihs, is inflammation of the muscle tissue that forms the heart's wall. This muscle, called the myocardium, performs the… More>>
Circulatory system
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