An anterior view of the chest comparing a typical and saddle pulmonary embolism. A saddle embolism is characterized by a blood clot (thrombus) getting stuck at the pulmonary artery bifurcation (where the main pulmonary artery branches into each lung). A typical embolism is characterized by a blood clot getting stuck in an artery of the lungs, such as the right lower lobe bronchiole. These pulmonary embolisms reduce or block proper blood flow.
