What is the name of a blood clot formed while living?

A blood clot formed while living is referred to as a thrombus. This term specifically describes a mass that develops within a blood vessel or heart chamber, consisting of aggregated platelets, fibrin, and blood cells. The formation of a thrombus typically occurs in response to injury to a blood vessel, where the body attempts to prevent blood loss through coagulation.

Understanding the context of this term is crucial, as it distinguishes a thrombus from other related terms. An embolus, for instance, is a blood clot or debris that has broken free from its original site and travels through the bloodstream, potentially obstructing a vessel elsewhere. Hyperplasia is a term related to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue, while phlegmon refers to a spreading infection or inflammation in connective tissue. Recognizing these distinctions is important in the study of pathology and the mechanisms of disease related to clot formation and vascular health.