What is a freely-floating thrombus that can become lodged in an artery?

An embolus is a type of thrombus that has detached from its original site and is carried through the bloodstream until it gets lodged in a narrow part of an artery. This can lead to serious complications, such as an embolism, which is the obstruction of a blood vessel by the embolus. Understanding this term is essential, as it plays a significant role in cardiovascular health and various medical conditions.

A thrombus, in contrast, refers specifically to a blood clot that forms in situ within a blood vessel and stays attached to that site rather than floating freely. Perturbation does not relate to blood clots or thrombus formation, and coagulation refers to the process of blood clotting itself rather than a specific type of clot or its behavior in the circulatory system. Therefore, an embolus is the correct answer because it specifically describes a freely-floating thrombus capable of causing blockages in arteries when it lodges in them.