Final answer:
About 85% of emboli come from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs or pelvis, which can result in a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE) when the blood clot travels to and obstructs a pulmonary artery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of emboli, around 85%, are known to originate from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs or pelvis. These emboli become dangerous when they dislodge and travel through the circulatory system, potentially causing blockages in critical areas. A common and serious type of embolism is a pulmonary embolism (PE), which occurs when an embolus lodges in a pulmonary artery, blocking the flow of blood to the lungs. This can lead to severe consequences, including lung damage and even sudden death, due to the interruption of pulmonary circulation.