The extrinsic pathway is typically triggered when tissue factor is exposed to the bloodstream due to vascular injury. Tissue factor binds with factor VII, forming a complex that activates factor VII to factor VIIa. This complex then activates factor X to Xa, which is a critical step in the clotting cascade. In toxicological scenarios, certain chemicals and toxins can mimic or interfere with these processes, leading to coagulopathies.
