血栓

• Pinyin: xuè shuān
• Hanzi breakdown: 血 = pictograph of a vessel with a drop of blood; 栓 = 木 + 全 (wood + complete — a wooden bolt or stopper, extended to any blocking plug)

Meaning

Blood clot; thrombus. A clot formed within a blood vessel that obstructs the flow of blood through the circulatory system.

A medical term used in clinical and health education contexts. Blood clots can form in veins (deep vein thrombosis) or arteries (arterial thrombosis), potentially causing strokes, heart attacks, or pulmonary embolisms. Prevention is increasingly discussed in public health campaigns in China.

Examples

1. 医生告知患者长时间久坐不动是导致下肢静脉血栓形成的重要危险因素，建议每隔一小时起身活动。 The doctor told the patient that sitting still for long periods is a major risk factor for blood clots in the legs and suggested getting up to move around every hour.
2. 这位中年男性因脑部血栓突然发作，在送医途中失去意识，幸亏急救人员及时施救才转危为安。 This middle-aged man suddenly had a brain clot and lost consciousness on the way to the hospital; luckily, paramedics treated him in time and he pulled through.
3. 抗凝血药物的主要作用是抑制血液凝固，从而预防血栓在血管内形成，降低心脑血管疾病的发作风险。 Anticoagulants mainly work by preventing blood from clotting, which helps stop clots from forming in blood vessels and lowers the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, health education, clinical settings

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 长途飞行期间乘客应定期起身走动、多补充水分，以有效降低经济舱综合征即深静脉血栓形成的风险。(During long-haul flights, passengers should regularly get up and move around and stay well hydrated to effectively reduce the risk of economy class syndrome, i.e., deep vein thrombosis.)
• 该患者的核磁共振检查结果显示，左侧颈动脉存在一处新生血栓，医生建议立即住院接受溶栓治疗。(The patient's MRI results revealed a newly formed thrombus in the left carotid artery; the doctor recommended immediate hospitalisation for thrombolytic therapy.)

Don't Say

• 我有点血栓的感觉 — 血栓 is a serious medical condition diagnosed through clinical tests, not a subjective feeling; for describing leg discomfort or heaviness use 腿部酸胀 or 腿麻 and seek medical advice rather than self-diagnosing with this term

Origin & History

血 (blood) + 栓 (plug/bolt) — a plug formed by blood within a vessel

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Middle-aged and older adults

Social background: Universal