thrombus

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel. It is composed of a mass of platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, and fibrin. Thrombi can be either stationary or mobile, and they can vary in size from microscopic to large enough to occlude a major blood vessel. Thrombi can form in any blood vessel, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, and they can occur in both healthy and diseased vessels.

Thrombi can be classified based on their location and composition. Intravascular thrombi form within the lumen of a blood vessel, while extravascular thrombi form outside the vessel wall. Thrombi can also be classified based on their composition, with fibrin-rich thrombi being more common in arteries and platelet-rich thrombi being more common in veins.

Thrombi can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, infection, and certain medical conditions such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and blood disorders. They can also be caused by the use of certain medications, such as oral contraceptives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Thrombi can have serious consequences, including occlusion of a blood vessel, which can lead to ischemia and tissue damage. They can also cause embolization, in which a piece of the thrombus breaks off and travels to another part of the body, causing a new clot to form. Thrombi can be treated with a variety of medical interventions, including anticoagulants, thrombolytics, and mechanical thrombectomy. Prevention of thrombi involves managing underlying risk factors and avoiding triggers such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and prolonged bed rest.