Pathologic Function
asphyxia Audio
as·phyx·i·a [ as-fik-see-uh ]
Subclass of:
Wounds and Injuries; Cessation of life
Etymology:
Greek a = not + sphyxis = pulse + -ia = condition
Etymologically, this word should merely mean pulseless, but it has come to signify suffocation or lack of oxygen.
Definitions related to asphyxia:
  • A life-threatening lack of oxygen due to drowning, choking, or an obstruction of the airways.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • A pathological condition caused by lack of oxygen, manifested in impending or actual cessation of life.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • A state of general hypoxia and hypercapnea, resulting in acidosis, which affects all tissues in the body.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A state of hypoxia and hypercapnea, resulting in acidosis, which affects all tissues in the body.
    NICHD Pediatric Terminology
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (suffocation) The stopping of respiration or the asphyxia that results from it.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Asphyxia, the failure or disturbance of the respiratory process brought about by the lack or insufficiency of oxygen in the brain. The unconsciousness that results sometimes leads to death. Asphyxia can be caused by injury to or obstruction of breathing passageways, as in strangulation or the...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
  • Suffocation, the stoppage or impeding of respiration, as by strangulation, choking on food, or other exclusion of oxygenated air.
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.