Final answer:
Coagulation is the physiological process that stops bleeding at the site of an injury while maintaining blood flow in the circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiological process that stops bleeding at the site of an injury while maintaining blood flow in the circulation is coagulation. Coagulation is the formation of a blood clot, which involves three steps:
- Vascular spasm: The smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessel contracts, constricting the flow of blood.
- Platelet plug formation: Platelets form a temporary plug to seal small openings in the vessel.
- Coagulation: Clotting factors promote the formation of a fibrin clot, which repairs the vessel wall once the bleeding has stopped.
Coagulation is a vital part of the body's natural response to injuries to prevent excessive bleeding.