Platelet plug

Platelet plug occurs at the site of minor injury to small vessels (especially capillaries and venules). During the formation of a platelet plug, activated platelets adhere to the exposed collagen in the wall of the injured vessel (adhesion), change their shape, form protrusions, thereby capturing other platelets (aggregation) and release the contents of its cytoplasmic granules (degranulation) into the blood. The following are involved in the activation of platelets and the formation of a platelet plug: von Willebrand factor, ADP, thromboxane A2, thrombin or platelet-activating factor (PAF).

A platelet plug is also referred to as a white (platelet) thrombus'.

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