What is an embolus?

An embolus is accurately defined as a foreign particle that becomes impacted in a blood vessel. This definition encompasses a variety of substances, including blood clots, air bubbles, fat droplets, or even pieces of tumors that can travel through the bloodstream and cause blockages when they lodge in narrower parts of blood vessels. When an embolus obstructs blood flow, it can lead to serious complications, such as tissue damage or organ dysfunction, depending on its location.

The other options, while related to the topic of vascular health, do not capture the full definition of an embolus. For instance, while a blood clot can become an embolus if it dislodges and travels, not all emboli are clots. An embolus may also consist of other materials. Additionally, bacterial infections and blood vessel inflammation are not defined as emboli since they refer to entirely different medical conditions. Understanding the specific nature of an embolus is crucial in studying pathophysiology and is particularly relevant in contexts such as cardiovascular health.