Which term describes a small area of dead tissue due to lack of blood supply?

• A. Angina pectoris
• B. Embolism
• C. Infarct
• D. Congestive heart failure

Answer: (C)

An infarct is a localized patch of tissue that has died from a lack of blood flow. When blood supply is blocked or severely reduced, tissue becomes ischemic; if this lasts long enough, the cells die and a dead-area forms. In the heart, this is called a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. Angina pectoris is chest pain from reversible ischemia with no dead tissue. An embolism is a blockage that can trigger ischemia and infarction, but it is the obstruction itself rather than the dead tissue. Congestive heart failure describes the heart’s reduced pumping ability and does not denote dead tissue.