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embolus
noun
em·bo·lus
ˈem-bə-ləs
plural emboli
ˈem-bə-ˌlī
: an abnormal particle (such as an air bubble) circulating in the blood compare thrombus
Examples of embolus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In blocking a pulmonary artery, a pulmonary embolus prevents blood flow to the portion of the lung supplied by that artery, which is clearly not good.
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
The optometrist can diagnose a cholesterol embolus by sight -- that’s what a Hollenhorst plaque is.
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Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 17 July 2023
Recent scans revealed significant disease progression including fibrosis in the lungs as well as several emboli.
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Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 26 Sep. 2023
It was stated that this embolus could possibly dislodge, travel to my brain and cause a stroke.
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Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 17 July 2023
When a blood vessel is blocked by an embolus, it’s called an embolism, according to Johns Hopkins.
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Daryl Perry, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2022
An autopsy indicated that the cause of her recent death was cardiopulmonary arrest due a large pulmonary embolus or, in layman's terms, a blood clot.
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Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2012
The blood clot itself that forms in one part of the body, breaks off and then travels elsewhere is called an embolus.
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Daryl Perry, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2022
The surgeon removed the cement embolus and repaired the man’s right atrium.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2021
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek embolos wedge-shaped object, stopper, from emballein
First Known Use
1859, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near embolus
Cite this Entry
“Embolus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embolus. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
embolus
noun
em·bo·lus
ˈem-bə-ləs
plural emboli
-ˌlī
: an abnormal particle (as an air bubble) circulating in the blood compare thrombus
Medical Definition
embolus
noun
em·bo·lus
ˈem-bə-ləs
plural emboli
-ˌlī
: an abnormal particle (as an air bubble) circulating in the blood compare thrombus
More from Merriam-Webster on embolus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about embolus
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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