Apoplexy is bleeding into an organ or loss of blood flow to an organ. For example,

• Adrenal apoplexy -- bleeding into the adrenal glands
• Pituitary apoplexy -- bleeding into the pituitary gland

Apoplexy most often refers to stroke symptoms that occur suddenly. Such symptoms occur due to bleeding into the brain. It can also occur by a blood clot in a brain blood vessel. Conditions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke are sometimes called apoplexy.

Functional apoplexy is when a person appears to be having stroke-like symptoms. However, there is no brain defect.