hemostasis /himos″təsis, hē′məstā″sis/ [Gk, haima + stasis, halting] , 1. the process of maintaining the blood in a fluid state within the confines of the circulatory system. A complex interaction of processes consisting of vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, thrombin and fibrin generation, coagulation regulation, and fibrinolysis. Also spelled haemostasis. Compare blood clotting. See also platelets, thrombus, vasoconstriction. 2. the arrest of the escape of blood by compression or ligation.
