What is thrombosis?

Also known as: blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, DVT.

When a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, the process is known as thrombosis. This is usually a normal bodily function that helps to stop the flow of blood from a damaged blood vessel. After a time these clots normally dissolve after they're no longer needed.

Sometimes blood clots form in blood vessels (arteries and/or veins) which aren’t damaged. This can lead to harmful complications.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM