Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

embolus

Noun

/ˈɛm.bə.ləs/

Definition

An embolus is a piece of material that travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a vessel, obstructing blood flow.

Examples

The doctor explained that an embolus could lead to serious complications if it blocked a major artery.
She suffered a pulmonary embolus, which caused her to experience difficulty breathing.
In some cases, an embolus can originate from a thrombosis that forms in the heart.

Meaning

The term is used in medicine to describe an obstruction within a blood vessel caused by materials such as a blood clot, air bubble, or fat globule that has moved from another location in the body.