Venous thrombus and embolus
Illustration copyright 2000 by Nucleus
Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.nucleusinc.com
A thrombus is a blood clot that forms in a
vein. An embolus is anything that travels through
the blood vessels until it reaches a vessel that is too small to let it pass.
When this happens, the blood flow is stopped by the embolus. An embolus is
often a small piece of a blood clot that breaks off (thromboembolus). It may
also be fat, air, amniotic fluid, a tumor, or a foreign substance such as talc,
iodine, cotton, or a tiny piece of catheter tube.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine | | Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology | | Last Updated | January 29, 2009 |
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Last Updated: January 29, 2009 |
| Medical Review: |
Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
© 1995-2009, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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