What condition is associated with a mass that may dislodge and travel through the bloodstream?

An embolism refers to a condition where a mass such as a blood clot, air bubble, or fat globule dislodges from its original site and travels through the bloodstream to another location in the body. This detached mass, known as an embolus, can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to serious complications depending on where the obstruction occurs, such as in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), or other critical areas.

The nature of embolisms highlights the importance of understanding how circulating masses can impact circulation and overall health. Conditions like hemolytic anemia involve the breakdown of red blood cells, but they do not typically involve a traveling mass. Hypoxia refers to a deficiency in oxygen reaching the tissues, while cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues. Neither of these conditions involves the concept of a mass dislodging and traveling through the bloodstream like an embolism does. Thus, the connection of an embolism to the movement of a mass through the circulatory system makes it the correct choice in this context.