Definition of Hemostasis

Hemostasis: The stoppage of bleeding or hemorrhage. Also, the stoppage of blood flow through a blood vessel or organ of the body.

Hemostasis is the arrest of bleeding, whether it be by normal vasoconstriction (the vessel walls closing temporarily), by an abnormal obstruction (such as a plaque) or by coagulation or surgical means (such as ligation).

The term comes from the Greek roots heme, blood + stasis, halt = halt of the blood.
Last Editorial Review: 1/13/2001 1:55:00 PM