What condition occurs when an artery in the lungs gets blocked by a blood clot?

Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks one or more arteries. This can happen when a clot from another part of the body (often from the deep veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis) dislodges and moves through the bloodstream to the pulmonary arteries.

The blockage can lead to reduced blood flow to the lung tissue, resulting in complications such as decreased oxygen levels in the blood and respiratory distress. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism often include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that may become worse when breathing deeply, and coughing up blood. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Understanding pulmonary embolism is crucial in anatomy and physiology as it highlights the importance of the circulatory system and its functions within the broader context of respiratory health.