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Lung tissue death. Gross specimen of a piece of lung tissue showing an area of necrosis (tissue death, orange) caused by a pulmonary embolism (blockage in a pulmonary blood vessel). The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up more oxygen. A blockage in this system can cause sudden death. Death of an area of tissue caused by inadequate blood supply is called infarction. Usually the blocking body is a blood clot (thrombus), which may form as a complication of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure or a blood infection. Anticoagulant drugs can help to prevent abnormal clotting. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CNRI)