von Willebrand factor
noun
: a large glycoprotein clotting factor circulating in blood plasma that mediates platelet adhesion to collagen at sites of vascular injury, that binds to and protects factor VIII from degradation, and that is deficient or defective in individuals affected with von Willebrand disease
called also VW factor
Note: Von Willebrand factor is synthesized in endothelial cells of blood vessels and in megakaryocytes of bone marrow.
Examples of von Willebrand factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But there’s another interesting layer to a potential protective element in Type O blood: something called von Willebrand factor, which is a glycoprotein in charge of repairing damage to blood vessels by prompting your blood to clot.
—
Rachael Schultz, Men's Health, 7 Mar. 2022
Normally, most factor VIII is stabilized in the body by another protein, von Willebrand factor (VWF), which also protects the clotting factor from disintegrating.
—Rebekah Tuchscherer, Science | AAAS, 9 Sep. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachael Schultz, Men's Health, 7 Mar. 2022
Normally, most factor VIII is stabilized in the body by another protein, von Willebrand factor (VWF), which also protects the clotting factor from disintegrating.
—Rebekah Tuchscherer, Science | AAAS, 9 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Von Willebrand factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/von%20Willebrand%20factor. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
von Willebrand factor
noun
von Wil·le·brand factor
vän-ˈvil-ə-ˌbränt- 
: a large glycoprotein clotting factor circulating in blood plasma that mediates platelet adhesion to collagen at sites of vascular injury, that binds to and protects factor VIII from degradation, and that is deficient or defective in individuals affected with von Willebrand disease
Patients are deficient in the von Willebrand factor, one of the many blood-clotting proteins.—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-NewsNote: Von Willebrand factor is synthesized in endothelial cells of blood vessels and in megakaryocytes of bone marrow.
called also VW factor
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share