Embolus: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in medical contexts to refer to a mass such as a blood clot, air bubble, or other substance that travels through the bloodstream and can cause an obstruction.

• The patient suffered from a stroke due to an embolus blocking an artery in the brain.
• An embolus can lead to serious complications if it reaches vital organs.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe a clump of blood that has hardened, often used in medical contexts or when discussing health conditions.

• The doctor warned that a blood clot could travel to his lungs.
• Taking long flights can increase the risk of developing blood clots.

A more general term that can be used in both medical and non-medical contexts to describe any obstruction that prevents normal flow or function.

• He experienced a blockage in his digestive tract.
• There is a blockage in the plumbing that needs to be fixed.

A medical term for a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains there, often leading to restricted blood flow.

• The ultrasound revealed a thrombus in the patient's leg.
• Immediate treatment was required to dissolve the thrombus.