What is an embolus?

An embolus is defined as a blood clot that becomes dislodged from its original site and travels through the vascular system until it becomes lodged in a blood vessel. This can lead to serious conditions, such as an embolism, where blood flow is obstructed, potentially causing damage to organs or tissues that depend on that blood flow.

Understanding the nature of an embolus is crucial in the context of various medical conditions and their management. For instance, an embolus can originate from a thrombus (a blood clot formed in a blood vessel) and can travel to the lungs, heart, or other organs, resulting in critical complications such as pulmonary embolism or stroke.

The other options describe different medical concepts. One option references a cancer type, which is not related to the movement or characteristics of blood clots. There is also a mention of a surgical procedure related to clot removal, which describes a treatment method rather than a pathological entity. Additionally, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream pertains to sepsis rather than a condition caused specifically by traveling blood clots. Thus, the definition of an embolus is focused specifically on the nature of the clot and its potential effects in the circulatory system.