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anoxia

anoxia

4 9.3
Complete lack of oxygen in the body that can quickly damage the brain
  • noun
  • /əˈnɑk.si.ə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anoxia
  • One serious consequence of anoxia is that it can cause irreversible damage to the brain.
  • anoxia and hypoxia
  • perinatal anoxia
  • result in anoxia

Examples

  • During high mountain climbs, many climbers face anoxia due to the thin air and lack of oxygen.

  • In warm months, some bay areas, particularly where the water is deep, suffer from anoxia.

    Academic text (1992)
  • It's a lack of oxygen to the brain, and the anoxia caused some damage.

  • I think we're looking at cortical anoxia.

  • Your husband suffered anoxia.

  • What drives the severe post-hurricane anoxia and hypoxia episodes?

    Academic text (2002)
  • However, it is believed that perinatal anoxia can seriously damage not only pure-tone auditory function but also more complex activities, such as speech interpretation.

    Academic text (2002)
  • If benthic food supplies diminish because of repeated anoxia episodes, repopulation may take longer.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The most visible effects of storm-induced anoxia and hypoxia on aquatic biota are the carcasses of dead fish.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Anoxia occurs when the body is deprived of anoxia, which can lead to serious health issues.

Synonyms

asphyxiation
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
25 9.6

Not enough oxygen in the body that makes you lose consciousness or die

is wider, including complete oxygen absence in tissues and blood from any cause
suffocation
vsanoxia
20 5.2

Not being able to breathe because there is not enough air

is broader, defining complete oxygen absence beyond just blocked breathing
asphyxia
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
8 8.6

A condition in which a person cannot breathe and becomes unconscious from lack of oxygen

is broader, not only about blocked breathing but any total oxygen lack
anoxic anoxia
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
8.8

Not enough oxygen in the blood because the lungs cannot put oxygen into the blood

is general and includes other causes beyond lung failure
ischemic anoxia
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
8.1

Lack of oxygen in parts of the body because blood flow is stopped or very slow

is broader, covering complete oxygen absence from any cause
stagnant anoxia
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
9.1

Lack of oxygen in parts of the body because blood moves very slowly, often in heart failure

is broader, covering oxygen absence from any cause rather than only circulation
anemic anoxia
vsanoxia
  • Specialized
7.9

A condition where low hemoglobin makes body tissues get too little oxygen

is not limited to blood problems and includes other oxygen failures

Antonyms

oxygenation
  • Specialized
4 5.1

The process of giving oxygen to blood, tissues, or water

Compounds

anemic anoxia
  • Specialized
7.9

A condition where low hemoglobin makes body tissues get too little oxygen

anoxic anoxia
  • Specialized
8.8

Not enough oxygen in the blood because the lungs cannot put oxygen into the blood

ischemic anoxia
  • Specialized
8.1

Lack of oxygen in parts of the body because blood flow is stopped or very slow

stagnant anoxia
  • Specialized
9.1

Lack of oxygen in parts of the body because blood moves very slowly, often in heart failure

How Oxygenated

hypoxia
  • Specialized
9 7.9
anoxia
  • Specialized
4 9.3

Surface Forms

anoxia singular
anoxias plural

Morphology

anoxia = oxygen (semi-transparent) = an + oxia

The prefix 'an-' means 'without', and learners who recognise its function plus the association with 'oxygen' can infer the meaning, but the combining form '-oxia' is not a standalone English word and this medical term is not fully transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Anoxia comes from the prefix an- meaning 'without' and oxygen, the gas our bodies need, so anoxia literally means 'without oxygen' and explains why the word describes a dangerous lack of oxygen in the body.