FIBRINOGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein, also known as clotting factor I, that plays a critical role in the process of blood clot formation or coagulation. It is produced in the liver and circulates in the bloodstream, maintaining a necessary balance between clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.
Fibrinogen is considered an acute-phase reactant, as its production increases during times of inflammation or injury. It is crucial for blood clotting to occur as a response to vascular injury and helps in the formation of a fibrin clot. When blood vessels are damaged, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin by the action of the clotting enzyme thrombin. This conversion process initiates a cascade of chemical reactions, leading to the formation of a stable fibrin clot that helps stop bleeding.
The presence and functionality of fibrinogen are vital for proper hemostasis, which is the body's ability to control and stop bleeding. Disorders or deficiencies in fibrinogen can result in various bleeding disorders, such as fibrinogen deficiency or dysfibrinogenemia. In contrast, increased levels of fibrinogen have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
Fibrinogen is commonly measured in blood tests as part of the coagulation profile, and abnormal levels may indicate certain health conditions or diseases. Its importance in blood clotting makes fibrinogen a significant focus of research and a target for therapies aimed at preventing or treating bleeding disorders or thrombosis.
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A globulin of the blood-plasma which is converted into the coagulated protein, fibrin, by the action of fibrin-ferment in the presence of a salt of calcium; it is this change which produces coagulation of the blood.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FIBRINOGEN
Etymology of FIBRINOGEN
The word "fibrinogen" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "fibrin" and "gen".
The root "fibrin" comes from the Greek word "phis", which means a thread or fiber. Fibrin is a fibrous protein involved in the formation of blood clots, essential for the process of coagulation.
The suffix "-gen" comes from the Greek word "genēs", which means born or produced. This suffix is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate a substance that generates or produces something.
Combining these roots, the word "fibrinogen" refers to a substance or protein involved in the production or generation of fibrin, the fibrous component of blood clots.
Similar spelling words for FIBRINOGEN
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