Embolism
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An embolism is the lodging of an [[Embolus[[, a blockage-causing piece of material, inside a blood vessel.
The Embolus may be a blood clot (Thrombus), a fat globule, a bubble of air or other gas (gas embolism), or foreign material.
An Embolism can cause partial or total blockage of blood flow in the affected vessel. Such a blockage (a Vascular Occlusion) may affect a part of the body distant from where the embolus originated. An embolism in which the embolus is a piece of Thrombus is called a thromboembolism. Thrombosis, the process of thrombus formation, often leads to thromboembolism.
