The complete or partial blockage of a blood vessel, airway, or other tubular structure in the body, preventing normal flow. This can occur naturally due to disease processes or be created therapeutically during medical procedures.
From Latin 'occludere' meaning 'to shut up' or 'to close off' (ob- 'against' + claudere 'to close'). The medical usage developed in the 17th century, initially describing dental bite relationships, then expanding to vascular and respiratory applications.
A complete coronary artery occlusion can kill heart muscle in as little as 20 minutes, which is why heart attack treatment is measured in 'door-to-balloon time' - the faster doctors can reopen the vessel, the more heart muscle they can save!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.