Thrombophlebitis : Causes

Sitting for a long period of time (such as on a long airplane trip) increases a person's risk of thrombophlebitis. Disorders that increase a person's chance for blood clots also lead to thrombophlebitis. The two main types of thrombophlebitis are ...

In superficial thrombophlebitis, the location of the clot can sometimes be seen by the unaided eye. Blood clots are hard and can usually be detected by a physician using palpation (massage). Deep venous thrombosis requires specialized diagnostic i...

Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood. A blood clot that forms in a vessel or within the heart and remains there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that travels from the vessel or heart chamber where it formed to another location in the body is called an embolus, and the disorder, an embolism. For example, an embolus that occurs in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism. Sometimes, a piece of atherosclerotic plaque, small pieces of tumor, fat globules, air, amniotic fluid, or other materials can act in the same manner as an embolus. For more information, see the following: Arterial embolism Pulmonary embolism Deep venous thrombosis Renal vein thrombosis Atheroembolic renal disease Thrombophlebitis Stroke Heart attack Angina

A blood clot is a mass of blood cells and blood components that form to stop the bleeding that occurs when a blood vessel is injured. When a blood vessel is broken, platelets in the blood become sticky and clump together at the site of the injury.