Physiology · Haematological System · Medium
Fibrinolysis
Meaning: The physiological breakdown of blood clots by enzymes once healing is under way.
In practice: Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding after trauma or surgery by inhibiting fibrinolysis.
Word parts
- -lysis means breaking down
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related physiology words.
Which word means: A type of cytokine that carries signals between white blood cells.
Answer: Interleukin
Which word means: The breaking of large fat droplets into smaller ones by bile salts, aiding digestion by lipases.
Answer: Emulsification
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