Embolism (noun)

1. A medical condition in which an obstruction, such as a blood clot, blocks the flow of blood through a blood vessel.
2. The insertion of a foreign body, such as an air bubble, into a blood vessel.
3. A pathological state caused by an embolus.

Origin:

From the greek word "embolismos" meaning "an insertion" or "an obstruction".

Examples:

1. A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot becomes lodged in the lungs.
2. The patient had a deep vein thrombosis which caused an embolism in the lung.
3. The embolism in the patient's brain caused a stroke.
4. The embolism blocked the flow of blood to the patient's heart and caused a heart attack.
5. The embolism in the patient's leg caused the tissue to die.