Word: Embolism
Part of Speech: Noun
Basic Definition: Embolism is a medical term that means a blockage in a blood vessel caused by something that has moved through the bloodstream, like a blood clot, air bubble, or other particles.
Usage Instructions: You can use "embolism" when talking about health, especially in discussions related to blood flow and medical conditions. It’s often used in more formal or technical contexts.
Example Sentence: "The doctor explained that the patient suffered an embolism, which caused a disruption in the blood flow to the heart."
Advanced Usage: In medical discussions, you might hear about different types of embolisms, such as "pulmonary embolism" (an embolism in the lungs) or "cerebral embolism" (an embolism in the brain).
Word Variants: - Embolic (adjective): Relating to an embolism. - Example: "The embolic stroke required immediate medical attention."
Different Meaning: In addition to its medical meaning, "embolism" can also refer to an insertion into a calendar, although this usage is less common.
Synonyms: - Occlusion (in the context of blockage) - Blockage - Obstruction
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: While "embolism" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might encounter phrases like "to block blood flow," which conveys a similar idea in a more general sense.
Summary: Embolism is a term used in medicine to describe a blockage in a blood vessel caused by particles that have traveled through the bloodstream.