Fibrinolytic

/ˌfɪbrɪnoʊˈlɪtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or causing the breakdown of fibrin, a protein that forms blood clots.

Etymology

From fibrin (Latin fibra, fiber) + lytic (from Greek lysis, dissolution). The term emerged in the late 1800s as medical science studied how the body dissolves clots.

Kelly Says

Your body is constantly in a tug-of-war between making clots (to stop bleeding) and dissolving them (to keep blood flowing); fibrinolytic is describing the winning team that cleans up clots you don't need anymore.

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