Final answer:
An embolism occurs when an embolus lodges within a blood vessel and blocks the blood supply, which can lead to serious medical conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an embolus lodges within a vessel and blocks blood supply, the condition is called an embolism. An embolism can have serious consequences depending on where it lodges within the body. For instance, if it lodges in the heart, it may cause a heart attack; in the brain, a stroke; and if it lodges in the lungs, it is known as a pulmonary embolism. These conditions are medical emergencies and require immediate attention. An ischemic stroke, for example, is a type of stroke where an embolus blocks blood flow to part of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen. In deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that breaks off and travels to the lungs to lodge in a pulmonary artery can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can potentially lead to lung damage or even sudden death.