What does embolization mean?
Embolization is a medical procedure in which a physician deliberately blocks a blood vessel, usually by threading a catheter through the vascular system and releasing an embolic agent such as tiny coils, particles, or a liquid adhesive at the target site. The goal may be to halt dangerous internal bleeding, starve a tumor or fibroid of its blood supply, close abnormal connections between arteries and veins, or reduce bleeding ahead of surgery. Performed most often by interventional radiologists, embolization is a hallmark of modern minimally invasive medicine: rather than opening the body surgically, the clinician works through a small puncture, guided by live imaging. The word derives from "embolus," the Greek-rooted term for something wedged inside a vessel — the same root that gives us "embolism," its pathological cousin. Though technical, embolization has become increasingly familiar to patients, appearing frequently in discussions of uterine fibroid treatment, tumor therapy, and emergency trauma care, where speed and precision matter most.
nounA medical procedure in which a blood vessel or vascular channel is deliberately blocked, typically by injecting an embolic agent such as coils, particles, or glue, in order to stop bleeding, cut off blood supply to a tumor or malformation, or treat other vascular conditions.
- The deliberate occlusion of a blood vessel by introducing an embolic agent, performed as a minimally invasive treatment to control bleeding, shrink tumors, or treat vascular abnormalities.
"The interventional radiologist recommended embolization to stop the bleeding before surgery."
"Uterine artery embolization offers many women with fibroids an alternative to hysterectomy."
"Emergency embolization of the splenic artery successfully controlled the internal bleeding."
The plural is rare and appears mainly in clinical contexts referring to multiple distinct procedures performed on one patient or across a series of cases.
"The patient underwent two separate embolizations over the course of her treatment."
Doctors can now cure some tumors without ever picking up a scalpel — they simply plug the vessel feeding them from inside.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embolization
Embolization comes from the Greek "embolos," meaning a wedge or plug, which passed into medical Latin as "embolus" — a mass lodged in a blood vessel. The verb "embolize" was formed in English by adding the suffix "-ize," and the noun "embolization" follows with the action suffix "-ation." Its cognates include "embolism" and "embolic." The term entered widespread clinical use in the twentieth century as catheter-based interventional techniques were developed.
How embolization is actually used
Embolization is a technical term used almost exclusively in medical and clinical contexts; it is not part of everyday vocabulary. It is typically discussed alongside interventional radiology and is considered a form of minimally invasive therapy. The word is uncountable in general use.
Easily confused with embolization
An embolism is the pathological blockage of a vessel by an embolus (such as a clot), whereas embolization is the intentional medical procedure of creating such a blockage for therapeutic benefit.
Thrombolysis dissolves blood clots to restore blood flow, while embolization deliberately blocks vessels to restrict it.