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embolus Audio
em·bo·lus [ em-buh-luhs ]
Etymology:
Greek embolos = stopper or wedge; from en = in + ballein = to throw
An embolus is the plug, and embolism is the action.
Definitions related to embolus:
  • A blood clot or particle that forms in one part of the body then moves through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel elsewhere, blocking blood flow.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • A mass of clotted blood or other formed elements, such as bubbles of air, calcium fragments, etc. brought by the blood from another vessel and forced into a smaller one, thus obstructing the circulation.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • An intravascular mass, such as clotted blood or other elements, that was carried in the blood and occludes distal vessels.
    CDISC Terminology
    Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.

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