What is an infarct in medical terminology?

In medical terminology, an infarct specifically refers to an area of dead or necrotic tissue that results from a lack of blood supply. This condition typically arises when the blood flow to a particular region is obstructed, often due to a blockage in blood vessels, which can be caused by factors such as a clot or plaque buildup. The deprivation of oxygen and nutrients that normally accompany blood flow leads to tissue death, which is critical in understanding various medical conditions, particularly in fields such as cardiology and neurology, where heart attacks and strokes, respectively, are classified as infarcts. The significance of this definition is crucial for diagnosing and treating patients who present with related symptoms.

The other choices describe different physiological processes and conditions that do not accurately define an infarct. For example, swelling due to inflammation, increased blood flow, or normal functioning tissue all relate to processes that are distinct from the death of tissue due to inadequate blood supply.