occludes

Occlude is a verb meaning to block, close off, or obstruct an opening, passage, vessel, or field of view. The related noun occlusion describes the state of being occluded or the act of occluding. In medical, dental, and imaging contexts, occlusion refers to different phenomena that share the general idea of blockage or contact.

In medicine, vascular occlusion denotes the stopping of blood flow in a vessel due to thrombus, embolus, atherosclerotic plaque, or external compression. It can be temporary or permanent and may lead to ischemia and tissue damage. Common examples include central retinal artery occlusion and cerebral artery occlusion, which can cause organ or tissue injury if not promptly resolved. Treatment focuses on restoring perfusion through thrombolysis, thrombectomy, embolus removal, anticoagulation, or surgical intervention; prevention involves risk-factor management, antithrombotic therapy, and monitoring.

In dentistry, occlusion refers to how the upper and lower teeth meet and interact. Proper occlusion matters for efficient chewing, jaw function, and long-term dental health. Malocclusion describes misalignment of teeth or bites. Assessment uses bite registrations and articulations; management may include occlusal adjustment, orthodontic correction, or guidance splints and bite guards to improve function and comfort.

In computer vision and perception, occlusion describes when one object hides part of another, complicating recognition and depth estimation. Algorithms seek to infer the obscured structure or identity despite partial visibility.

Originating from Latin occludere, meaning to close off, occlude covers a range of blocking and contact concepts across disciplines.