Low O2 content in body tissues is called what?

Low O2 content in body tissues is called what?

• A. Hypoxemia
• B. Hypoxia
• C. Anoxia
• D. Hyperoxia

Answer: (B)

Oxygen delivery to tissues is what keeps cells functioning, and when tissues don’t receive enough oxygen, that condition is called hypoxia. Low O2 content in body tissues means the cells aren’t getting the oxygen they need to meet metabolic demands, so tissue hypoxia occurs. It’s helpful to distinguish related terms: hypoxemia is low oxygen in the blood (arterial oxygen), which can lead to tissue hypoxia but is a different measure; anoxia is a complete lack of oxygen; and hyperoxia is an excess of oxygen. In practice, tissue hypoxia can arise from problems with oxygen delivery (like poor blood flow or anemia) or from poor oxygen utilization, even if the blood’s oxygen content isn’t severely low.

Oxygen delivery to tissues is what keeps cells functioning, and when tissues don’t receive enough oxygen, that condition is called hypoxia. Low O2 content in body tissues means the cells aren’t getting the oxygen they need to meet metabolic demands, so tissue hypoxia occurs.

It’s helpful to distinguish related terms: hypoxemia is low oxygen in the blood (arterial oxygen), which can lead to tissue hypoxia but is a different measure; anoxia is a complete lack of oxygen; and hyperoxia is an excess of oxygen. In practice, tissue hypoxia can arise from problems with oxygen delivery (like poor blood flow or anemia) or from poor oxygen utilization, even if the blood’s oxygen content isn’t severely low.