Pathoma: Embolism Flashcards
An embolus is just _________.
a mass that is floating in the blood vessels
The most common type of embolus is a _________.
thrombus
Atherosclerotic emboli are characterized by ___________.
cholesterol clefts; these are crystals that form lens-shaped gaps in the embolus
Fat emboli (often released by bone marrow) are histologically characterized by _________.
rounded gaps, as opposed to sharp clefts found in cholesterol
What are the two most common sources of gas emboli?
The bends and laparoscopic surgery (in which air is pumped into cavities)
The amniotic fluid is loaded with ________; for this reason, amniotic fluid emboli can cause DIC.
tissue thromboplastin
Most pulmonary emboli are __________.
small and clinically silent (because lungs have dual blood supply)
Pulmonary emboli can be detected with ________.
V/Q scans
Systemic emboli usually arise in the _________.
left heart
