EMBOLIC APOPLEXY Meaning and
Definition
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Embolic apoplexy is a medical term used to describe a specific type of stroke caused by the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. It is characterized by the sudden loss of blood flow and oxygen to a particular region of the brain due to the presence of an embolus, which is a blood clot or other material that travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a blood vessel, causing a blockage. This blockage prevents the flow of blood and subsequently leads to the death of brain tissue in the affected area.
Embolic apoplexy typically occurs when an embolus, originating from another part of the body such as the heart or a blood vessel, breaks loose and travels to the brain. Common sources of emboli include blood clots that develop in the heart due to conditions like atrial fibrillation, or fatty deposits in blood vessels known as atherosclerosis. As these emboli travel through the bloodstream, they can access smaller blood vessels in the brain and become trapped, leading to the sudden onset of symptoms associated with a stroke.
Symptoms of embolic apoplexy may vary depending on the location of the affected blood vessel and the extent of the blockage. Common symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, severe headache, dizziness, and vision problems. Prompt medical intervention is crucial to minimize the damage caused by embolic apoplexy, as interventions such as clot-dissolving medications or surgical procedures may be necessary to restore blood flow to the affected area and prevent further complications.
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A. caused by the plugging of an artery of the brain by an embolus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EMBOLIC APOPLEXY
- embolic apoplexx
- e mbolic apoplexy
- em bolic apoplexy
- emb olic apoplexy
- embo lic apoplexy
- embol ic apoplexy
- emboli c apoplexy
- embolic apopl exy
- embolic apople xy
- embolic apoplex y
Etymology of EMBOLIC APOPLEXY
The word "embolic" comes from the Greek word "embolos", meaning "a plug or wedge". It is derived from the verb "emballein", meaning "to throw or insert". In medicine, "embolic" refers to an embolus, which is a piece of material (such as a blood clot, fat, or air bubble) that blocks a blood vessel.
The term "apoplexy" originates from the Greek word "apoplēxia", which means "a seizure" or "a stroke". It is derived from the verb "apoplēssein", meaning "to strike down". Historically, the term "apoplexy" was used to describe sudden paralysis or unconsciousness, often associated with bleeding in the brain due to a stroke.
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