The body contains a natural process to stop bleeding from minor
cuts in a matter of several minutes. When a small artery is cut,
the collagen fibers in its tissue are exposed, which signals the
clotting process to begin. As platelets begin to adhere to the
cut edges, they release chemicals to attract even more
platelets. Eventually a platelet plug is formed, and the
external bleeding stops. Clotting factors in the blood cause
strands of blood-borne material, called fibrin, to stick
together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut
blood vessel heals, and the blood clot dissolves after several
days.