Embolism: meaning, definitions and examples

Embolism is most often used in a medical context to describe a situation where a blood vessel is blocked by an embolus, which is a traveling mass such as a blood clot or air bubble.

• The patient suffered from a pulmonary embolism that required immediate medical attention.
• Doctors were concerned about the possibility of a cerebral embolism.

Blockage is a more general term and can refer to any type of obstruction in various contexts, not just medical. It can be used to describe anything from a blocked artery to a clogged drain.

• The blockage in the sewer system caused flooding in the streets.
• She had a blockage in her artery that needed to be surgically removed.

Occlusion is primarily used in a medical or scientific context to describe the state of being closed or obstructed, especially in relation to bodily passages or blood vessels. It can also refer to a dental condition.

• The occlusion of the coronary artery required emergency surgery.
• He was diagnosed with an occlusion in his dental arch.

Typically used in medical contexts to describe a blockage-causing material (often a blood clot, fat, air, or other substance) that travels through the bloodstream and obstructs a blood vessel.

• The patient was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism after experiencing sudden shortness of breath.
• Doctors are concerned about the risk of embolism in patients with irregular heartbeats.

Used in broader contexts to indicate a temporary halt or disturbance in a process, activity, or flow, not necessarily implying a physical obstruction.

• The power outage caused a brief interruption in our internet service.
• Your phone call caused an interruption during my presentation.

Generally used in both medical and non-medical contexts to describe a physical obstruction preventing flow, such as in arteries, pipes, or pathways. It can have a slightly negative connotation depending on the severity of the situation.

• There was a blockage in the sewer system that caused flooding in the neighborhood.
• The sudden blockage in the artery required immediate surgery to remove the obstruction.