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A fibrin clot is formed by the interplay of the intrinsic, extrinsic, and final common pathways. The intrinsic pathway begins with the activation of factor XII (Hageman factor) by contact with abnormal surfaces produced by injury. The extrinsic pathway is triggered by trauma, which activates factor VII and releases a lipoprotein, called tissue factor, from blood vessels. Inactive forms of clotting factors are shown in red; their activated counterparts (indicated by the subscript “a”) are in yellow. Stimulatory proteins that are not themselves enzymes are shown in blue. A striking feature of this process is that the activated form of one clotting factor catalyzes the activation of the next factor.