What condition occurs when a thrombus breaks free and travels to the lungs?

A thrombus, which is a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel, can sometimes detach from its original site and travel through the circulatory system. When such a thrombus travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs when the clot lodges itself in a pulmonary artery, which can obstruct blood flow to the lung tissue. This obstruction can lead to significant respiratory and hemodynamic issues, as it can prevent adequate oxygenation of the blood.

Deep vein thrombosis refers specifically to the formation of a clot in the deep veins, commonly in the legs, but it does not describe the scenario of a clot traveling to the lungs. Coronary artery disease is associated with the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, often due to atherosclerosis, and is unrelated to clots traveling to the lungs. A pneumothorax is a condition where air enters the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse, and is also not related to thrombus movement. Therefore, pulmonary embolism is the only option that accurately associates a traveling thrombus with a condition affecting the lungs.