In which coagulation pathway do factors released by damaged tissues initiate the cascade?

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The correct answer is the extrinsic pathway. This pathway is initiated when tissue factor (TF), also known as thromboplastin, is released from damaged tissues. This factor interacts with circulating factor VII, leading to its activation. The activated factor VII (FVIIa) then complexed with tissue factor activates factor IX and factor X, which progresses the coagulation cascade.

The extrinsic pathway is considered the primary mechanism for initiating coagulation in response to vascular injury, making it a crucial component of hemostasis. In contrast to the extrinsic pathway, the intrinsic pathway is activated by damage to the blood vessel and involves factors present in the blood, rather than those released by tissues. The common pathway refers to the final part of the coagulation cascade where both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge, leading to the formation of fibrin. The term "secondary pathway" is not conventionally used in coagulation discussions and may lead to confusion, as it does not have a recognized definition relating to the coagulation cascade.

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