Emboliseerumine

Emboliseerumine is a medical term describing the process of embolism, which is the blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus. An embolus is a detached intravascular solid mass, liquid, or gas that is carried by the blood from its site of origin to a distant site, where it may cause infarction, inflammation, or other pathological effects. Common types of emboli include blood clots (thrombi), fat globules, air bubbles, amniotic fluid, and cholesterol crystals.

The formation of an embolus often begins with a thrombus, a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel and can break off. If this thrombus travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a narrower vessel, it becomes an embolus. Other causes include fractures, surgical procedures, or conditions that disrupt the normal flow of blood.

When an embolus obstructs blood flow, the tissues or organs supplied by that vessel can become deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to tissue damage or death, a condition known as infarction. The location and size of the embolus determine the severity of the symptoms and the affected organ. For instance, a pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot travels to the lungs, while a stroke can result from an embolus blocking an artery in the brain. Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. Treatment aims to remove the obstruction, restore blood flow, and prevent further clot formation.