Glossary / Lexicon

Endothelium refers to the layer of epithelial cells that line the blood vessels. The blood-clotting properties of the platelets are activated when the Endothelium is breached. They change shape and adhere to the vessel wall, each other, and red blood cells. If this occurs pathologically, that is, in a normal vessel, it leads to a Thrombosis, ultimately occluding the vessel.