Final answer:
A clot that lodges in a cerebral artery is known as a cerebral embolism that can lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking blood flow and causing brain cell death.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a clot breaks loose from another part of the body, such as the heart, and lodges in a cerebral artery, it is referred to as a cerebral embolism. This is a serious condition because it can block blood flow to a part of the brain, causing an ischemic stroke.
An ischemic stroke can result in the death of brain cells due to the lack of oxygen from the blood. This blockage is usually due to an embolus, which is a thrombus that has broken free from the blood vessel wall and traveled through the bloodstream. Treatment is time-sensitive and often involves clot-busting drugs to dissolve the embolus and restore blood flow to the affected area of the brain.