
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Platelet activation
Introduction
Overview
Platelet activation is the process whereby a normally quiescent and round platelet undergoes functional and anatomic changes. These changes include:
- Development of long pseudopods which increase the surface area of the platelet allowing for a greater probability or area for cross linking with fibrin strands
- Expression glycoprotein IIbIIIa receptors which will bind fibrin strands to cross link platelets
- Release ADP and other platelet activators into the local micro environment. Relase of ADP causes further platelet activation in a positive feedback loop.
Stimulatnts of platelet activation include:
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