What is the medical term for a blood clot?

The medical term for a blood clot is "thrombus." A thrombus forms when blood changes from a liquid to a gel-like state, usually as part of the body's natural process to stop bleeding. Clots can form in blood vessels as a result of various factors, including injury to a vessel wall, certain medical conditions, or issues with blood flow.

Understanding the term "thrombus" is crucial, as it directly refers to the clot itself, which can disrupt normal blood flow and potentially lead to serious health issues if it travels to vital organs. For example, if a thrombus dislodges and moves through the bloodstream, it can become an embolus, potentially leading to conditions like pulmonary embolism.

The other terms listed refer to different medical conditions or occurrences rather than defining a blood clot. Cerebral embolism refers specifically to a blockage in the blood supply to the brain caused by an embolus. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, often due to the rupture of a thrombus in the coronary arteries. Cardiac arrest refers to the cessation of heart function, which can result from a variety of conditions, including those involving blood clots but does