What is the term for the final phase in hemostasis where a fibrin mesh traps the clot?

The final phase in hemostasis where a fibrin mesh traps the clot is known as secondary hemostasis. During this phase, the coagulation cascade is activated, resulting in the transformation of fibrinogen, a soluble plasma protein, into insoluble fibrin strands. These strands weave through the platelet plug formed during the primary hemostasis phase, stabilizing the clot and providing a framework that prevents further bleeding. This process is crucial for effective wound healing and maintaining vascular integrity following injury.

While primary hemostasis involves the immediate response to bleeding, characterized by platelet activation and the formation of a temporary plug, secondary hemostasis focuses on reinforcing that plug with a stable fibrin clot. Tertiary hemostasis is not typically recognized as a distinct phase and fibrinolysis refers to the breakdown of the fibrin clot after healing has occurred, which happens subsequently and is a separate process.