Obturation

Obturation (from Latin obturare - to plug, obstruct, or cover), closure, blockage, a term most frequently used to denote the blockage of any tubular formation in the body by material appearing within the lumen of the tube [if the blockage, closure of the tube's lumen occurs due to tissue proliferation originating from the tube wall, this is called obliteration (see)]. O. most commonly occurs in blood vessels, respiratory passages, and ducts of glandular organs. O. of a blood vessel is spoken of when a thrombus is present in it, completely obstructing the lumen. O. of respiratory passages can occur when foreign bodies enter them. O. of ducts is observed when stones form or are introduced into them, or when a duct is blocked by a mucous plug. With respect to both the process and the material causing O., the adjective "obturating" is used, e.g., obturating thrombosis, obturating thrombus, obturating foreign body in a bronchus, obturating stone in a duct.