EMBOLISM Definition and Types Embolism is the process of partial or complete obstruction of some part of the cardiovascular system by any mass carried in the circulation; the transported intravascular mass detached from its site of origin is called an embolus. Most usual forms of emboli (90%) are thromboemboli i.e. originating from thrombi or their parts detached from the vessel wall.  Emboli may be of various types: A. Depending upon the matter in the emboli: i) Solid e.g. detached thrombi (thromboemboli), athero-matous material, tumour cell clumps, tissue fragments, parasites, bacterial clumps, foreign bodies.  ii) Liquid e.g. fat globules, amniotic fluid, bone marrow. iii) Gaseous e.g. air, other gases. B. Depending upon whether infected or not: i) Bland, when sterile. ii) Septic, when infected. C. Depending upon the source of the emboli: i) Cardiac emboli from left side of the heart e.g. emboli originating from atrium and atrial ...

          THROMBOSIS Definition and Effects Thrombosis is the process of formation of solid mass in  circulation from the constituents of flowing blood; the mass  itself is called a thrombus. In contrast, a blood clot is the mass  of coagulated blood formed in vitro e.g. in a test tube Haematoma is the extravascular accumulation of blood clot   e.g. into the tissues. Haemostatic plugs are the blood clots  formed in healthy individuals at the site of bleeding e.g. in  injury to the blood vessel. In other words, haemostatic plug  at the cut end of a blood vessel may be considered the  simplest form of thrombosis. Haemostatic plugs are useful  as they stop the escape of blood and plasma, whereas thrombi  developing in the unruptured cardiovascular system may  be life-threatening by causing one of the following harmful  effects:  1. Ischaemic injury . Thrombi may decrease or stop the blood   suppl...