Final answer:
An embolism occurs when a thrombus breaks free, turns into an embolus, and lodges in a different body part's blood vessel to cause a blockage, potentially leading to serious conditions like a pulmonary embolism, heart attack, or stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an object, such as a thrombus (a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein), migrates from one part of the body and causes a blockage of a blood vessel in another part of the body, it is an event known as embolism. A thrombus that becomes dislodged and enters the bloodstream is termed an embolus, which travels through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. If an embolus becomes lodged in a blood vessel and blocks blood flow, this results in an embolism; a serious and life-threatening condition. Examples of such events include pulmonary embolism (PE) when the blockage occurs in a pulmonary artery, a heart attack when affecting a coronary artery, or a stroke if brain arteries are involved.