An orphaned block refers to a block in a blockchain that is not part of the main chain. This occurs when two miners create blocks simultaneously, leading to a temporary fork. When nodes in the network receive different blocks simultaneously, they might build on one block over the other, causing the other block to be orphaned.Orphaned blocks can happen due to network latency or differences in processing times among miners. Once a longer chain is established by additional blocks being mined, the shorter chain containing the orphaned block becomes irrelevant.While orphaned blocks are generally not harmful, they indicate the competitive nature of mining. Miners may not receive rewards for the transactions included in orphaned blocks, which can lead to loss of potential income. In summary, orphaned blocks are a natural occurrence in the blockchain process, showcasing the decentralized and competitive aspects of how transactions are validated and added to the chain.