infarct

[in-fahrkt, in-fahrkt]

noun

Pathology.

1. a localized area of tissue, as in the heart or kidney, that is dying or dead, having been deprived of its blood supply because of an obstruction by embolism or thrombosis.

infarct

/ ɪnˈfɑːkt /

noun

1. Also called: infarction. a localized area of dead tissue (necrosis) resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to that part, esp by an embolus

infarct

1. An area of living tissue that undergoes necrosis as a result of obstruction of local blood supply, as by a thrombus.

2. See also heart attack stroke

Other Word Forms

• infarcted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infarct¹

1870–75; < New Latin infarctus, noun use of past participle of Latin infarcīre (variant of infercīre ) to stuff, equivalent to in- in- ² + farc ( īre ) to stuff, fill ( farce ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of infarct¹

C19: via New Latin from Latin infarctus stuffed into, from farcīre to stuff

Example Sentences

The 25-year-old revealed in March that she sustained a "left occipital infarct" last year but there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

From BBC

In a post on social media, external-link Roebuck said tests found she had suffered a "left occipital infarct" but there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

From BBC

Officer Sicknick died from “acute brainstem and cerebellar infarcts due to basilar artery thrombosis,” Dr. Diaz ruled, meaning a serious stroke.

From New York Times

The meager staff has to manage everything that comes its way, “from malaria to myocardial infarcts to convulsions to head injuries,” Dr. Mathew said.

From New York Times

Doctors, for instance, have several ways of describing the same concept — a heart attack might be referred to as a myocardial infarction, a myocardial infarct or even just ‘MI’.

From Nature

Related Words

• barricade 
• closure 
• encirclement www.thesaurus.com
• restriction 
• roadblock 
• siege 
• stoppage