Definition

1. Noun:
   • An abnormal particle circulating in the blood: An "embolus" is a mass of material, such as a blood clot, air bubble, fat globule, or piece of tissue, that travels through the bloodstream. It is capable of blocking a blood vessel (an artery or vein) at a site distant from its origin, causing an embolism.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient suffered a stroke caused by an embolus that traveled to his brain.
  • An air embolus can be a serious complication of certain medical procedures.
  • Doctors used imaging to locate the embolus blocking the pulmonary artery.

Advanced Usage

• "Septic embolus": An embolus that contains infectious material, such as bacteria, often originating from an infection in the heart (e.g., endocarditis).

  • The fever and new lung lesions suggested a septic embolus from the heart valve infection.

• "Paradoxical embolus": An embolus that passes from the venous side of the circulation to the arterial side, typically through an abnormal opening in the heart, like a patent foramen ovale.

  • The cerebral infarct was likely due to a paradoxical embolus from a deep vein thrombosis.

Variants and Related Words

• Embolism (n): The condition or event of a blood vessel being blocked by an embolus.
  • Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition.
• Embolic (adj): Relating to or caused by an embolus.
  • The patient showed signs of an embolic stroke.
• Thromboembolus (n): An embolus that specifically originates from a thrombus (blood clot).
  • A thromboembolus from the leg was the cause of the blockage.

Synonyms

• Clot (when referring to a thrombus that has traveled).
• Obstruction (in the specific context of a circulating particle causing blockage).

Notes on Meaning

• The term "embolus" refers specifically to the traveling particle itself. The resulting blockage is called an "embolism." An embolus is often a piece of a larger clot (thrombus) that has broken free, but it can also be other substances introduced into the bloodstream.

Noun

1. an abnormal particle (e.g. an air bubble or part of a clot) circulating in the blood