thrombus

[ throm-buhs ]

See synonyms for thrombus on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural throm·bi

[throm-bahy]. /ˈθrɒm baɪ/. Pathology.

a fibrinous clot that forms in and obstructs a blood vessel, or that forms in one of the chambers of the heart.

Compare Meanings

thrombus vs. embolus thrombus vs. thrombosis

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of thrombus

1685–95; <New Latin <Greek thrómbos clot, lump

Words Nearby thrombus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use thrombus in a sentence

Detachment of a portion of the thrombus, according to Hoare, may result in the lodgment of an embolus in the brain or kidneys.
Lameness of the Horse | John Victor Lacroix
In removing the bone overlying the infected thrombus, the gouge and chisel should be used rather than the bone forceps or burr.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) | Various
The next step is to incise the sinus freely from above downwards towards the jugular fossa and curette out the thrombus.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) | Various
The thrombus is then curetted out and the dissected portion of the jugular vein cut off as high up as possible.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) | Various
It is known as a white thrombus or laminated clot, and is often met with in the sac of an aneurysm (Fig. 72).
Manual of Surgery | Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for thrombus

thrombus

/ (ˈθrɒmbəs) /

nounplural -bi (-baɪ)

a clot of coagulated blood that forms within a blood vessel or inside the heart and remains at the site of its formation, often impeding the flow of blood: Compare embolus

Origin of thrombus

C17: from New Latin, from Greek thrombos lump, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for thrombus

thrombus

[ thrŏm′bəs ]

Plural thrombi (thrŏm′bī′)

A clot consisting of fibrin, platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells that forms in a blood vessel or in a chamber of the heart and can obstruct blood flow. The rupture of atherosclerotic plaques can cause arterial thrombosis (the formation of thrombi), while tissue injury, decreased movement, oral contraceptives, prosthetic heart valves, and various metabolic disorders increase the risk for venous thrombosis. A thrombus in a coronary artery can cause a heart attack. Compare embolus.

Browse