Final answer:
An embolus is a blood clot that has broken free and traveled through the bloodstream, potentially causing blockages in critical organs like the heart, brain, or lungs, leading to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
An embolus is a thrombus that has broken free from the blood vessel wall and has entered the circulation. This could happen due to various factors like injury or disease. An embolus can travel through the bloodstream and has the potential to become lodged in blood vessels, which can block the flow of blood to major organs such as the heart, brain, or lungs. When an embolus causes a blockage, it is called an embolism. Such blockages can lead to serious medical emergencies, including heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms. The clotting of blood involves multiple components of the blood such as fibrin, platelets, and erythrocytes, and an embolus is primarily made up of these materials.