saddle embolus

saddle embolus

n.

A large embolism that straddles the arterial bifurcation and thus blocks both branches.

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embolus

pl. emboli [Gr.] a clot or other plug, usually part or all of a thrombus, brought by the blood from another vessel and forced into a smaller one, thus obstructing circulation. See also embolism.

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fibrocartilaginous embolus

see fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy.

saddle embolus

one situated at the bifurcation of a large artery, usually the terminal aorta, blocking both branches. See also saddle thrombus.

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saddle embolus

A large thrombus lodged at an arterial bifurcation, where blood flows from a large-bore vessel to a smaller one; the 'classic' SE, which occurs at the bifurcation of the pulmonary arteries in fatal PTE, 2º to a centrally migrating venous embolus, is uncommon. See Pulmonary embolism.