any of a group of substances that are liberated from damaged blood platelets and other tissues and convert prothrombin to thrombin
Also called: thrombokinase
thromboplastin in American English
(ˌθrɑmboʊˈplæstɪn)
noun
a substance released from blood platelets and injured body tissues that assists in the clotting of the blood by initiating the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin