What do we call the phase where platelets adhere and aggregate at the injury site?

The phase where platelets adhere and aggregate at the injury site is known as the platelet phase. During this phase, platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis, which is the process of stopping bleeding. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets quickly respond to the injury by adhering to the exposed collagen fibers at the site. This adhesion is facilitated by various glycoproteins on the platelet surface that bind to the damaged vessel's components.

Once adhered, platelets become activated and begin to aggregate with other platelets, forming a temporary "platelet plug." This aggregation is vital for reducing blood loss, as it forms a physical barrier at the site of injury. Additionally, activated platelets release signaling molecules that recruit more platelets to the site and initiate further pathways involved in the coagulation cascade, leading to a more stable fibrin clot.

The coagulation phase, vascular phase, and repair phase are different parts of the hemostatic process. The coagulation phase involves the cascade of clotting factors that lead to the formation of fibrin, the vascular phase refers to the immediate response of blood vessels to injury, and the repair phase involves the healing of the tissue after the initial hemostatic response is established. Each phase plays