obstruction

Obstruction refers to the act or condition of blocking or hindering passage, flow, or progress. It can describe tangible blockages as well as more abstract hindrances in law, medicine, engineering, or daily life. An obstruction may be temporary or permanent and can result from structural, functional, or intentional factors.

In medical contexts, obstruction most often denotes a blockage that prevents normal passage of a substance or air. Examples include intestinal obstruction, biliary obstruction, urinary tract obstruction, and airway obstruction. Symptoms vary by site but may include pain, vomiting, swelling, limited movement of the affected segment, or reduced function. Diagnosis relies on history, imaging, and sometimes endoscopy or invasive testing. Treatments aim to relieve the blockage and may involve surgery, endoscopic procedures, stent placement, catheterization, or medications to manage underlying causes and prevent complications such as infection or ischemia.

In law, obstruction commonly refers to obstruction of justice, an offense involving acts that impede the administration of law or the functioning of judicial processes. Examples include tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or providing false information to investigators. Penalties depend on jurisdiction and the seriousness of the act, and charges may accompany other offenses.

In physical sciences and engineering, obstruction describes any object or condition that blocks or interferes with the passage of light, air, fluid, or signals. Classic examples include central obstructions in optical systems (such as a secondary mirror in a telescope) and flow resistance caused by intrusions into conduits or channels. Obstruction, regardless of domain, typically necessitates diagnosis, mitigation, and, when possible, removal or bypass to restore function.