embolism

(em′bŏ-liĭzm )

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[ embolus + -ism ]
A sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by debris. Blood clots, cholesterol-containing plaques, masses of bacteria, cancer cells, amniotic fluid, fat from the marrow of broken bones, and injected substances (such as air bubbles or particulate matter) all may lodge in blood vessels and obstruct them.

EMBOLISM

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