A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot blocks an artery in which organ?

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot blocks an artery in which organ?

• A. The lung
• B. The heart
• C. The brain
• D. The liver

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary arteries that supply the lungs. A clot often travels from veins in the legs and lodges in the arteries of the lungs, cutting off blood flow to lung tissue and causing a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. This disruption directly involves the lung’s blood vessels, which is why the lungs are the affected organ. If a clot blocked arteries in other organs, you’d see different presentations—such as a heart attack from coronary artery blockage or a stroke from cerebral artery blockage—while the liver is less commonly infarcted due to its dual blood supply.

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary arteries that supply the lungs. A clot often travels from veins in the legs and lodges in the arteries of the lungs, cutting off blood flow to lung tissue and causing a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. This disruption directly involves the lung’s blood vessels, which is why the lungs are the affected organ. If a clot blocked arteries in other organs, you’d see different presentations—such as a heart attack from coronary artery blockage or a stroke from cerebral artery blockage—while the liver is less commonly infarcted due to its dual blood supply.