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Embolus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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embolus

em-bo-lus

🇬🇧 /ɛmbˈɒləs/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

medical term

A blood clot, air bubble, piece of fatty deposit, or other object that has been carried in the bloodstream to lodge in a vessel and cause an embolism.

Synonyms

blockage, blood clot, thrombus.

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Word Description / Examples
embolus

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.
blood clot

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.
blockage

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.
thrombus

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.

Examples of usage

  • The embolus became stuck in the artery, blocking blood flow.
  • If an embolus travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “embolus”

Embolus is a 3-syllable noun (em-bo-lus). It is pronounced /ɛmbˈɒləs/. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #27,762 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'embolus'

The word 'embolus' originates from the Greek word 'embolos', meaning 'plug' or 'stopper'. In ancient times, it was used to describe a device for stopping or blocking something. The medical term 'embolus' was first used in the 19th century to refer to a blockage in a blood vessel. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various types of blockages, such as blood clots, air bubbles, or fatty deposits.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,762, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.