Two simultaneous cascades are activated to achieve coagulation: the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The intrinsic pathway is activated by contact with collagen and involves the clotting factors XII, XI, IX and VIII. The extrinsic pathway is triggered by trauma and contact with "tissue factor", and involves the factor VII. These pathways progress independently before converging at the common pathway, which involves the factors X, V, II and I and ultimately results in the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen. | Two simultaneous cascades are activated to achieve coagulation: the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The intrinsic pathway is activated by contact with collagen and involves the clotting factors XII, XI, IX and VIII. The extrinsic pathway is triggered by trauma and contact with "tissue factor", and involves the factor VII. These pathways progress independently before converging at the common pathway, which involves the factors X, V, II and I and ultimately results in the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen. |