Hemorrhagin

/ˌhɛmərəˈdʒɪn/ noun

Definition

A toxic substance found in certain snake and spider venoms that destroys blood vessel walls and causes hemorrhaging.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'rhegnynai' (to burst) + '-in' (chemical suffix). The term names a specific class of venom proteins that trigger bleeding.

Kelly Says

Some snake venoms contain hemorrhagin, which literally melts the collagen in your blood vessel walls—this is why some snakebite victims bleed from their gums and can't stop bleeding for days.

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