What is the process called that reverses coagulation?

The process that reverses coagulation is known as fibrinolysis. Fibrinolysis involves the breakdown of fibrin, the protein that forms the structural basis of a blood clot. During this process, plasminogen is converted to plasmin, which digests fibrin and dissolves the clot, effectively restoring normal blood flow and preventing unnecessary blockage of blood vessels.

Understanding this process is crucial as it plays a significant role in maintaining hemostasis and preventing excessive clot formation. While hemostasis refers to the stopping of bleeding through clot formation, and clotting denotes the actual formation of the clot itself, fibrinolysis serves as the counterbalance, ensuring that clots are removed when they are no longer needed. Thrombosis, on the other hand, refers to the formation of a clot within a blood vessel, further differentiating it from the role of fibrinolysis in resolving or reversing coagulation.