hypoxia vs. hypoxemia

hypoxia vs. hypoxemia: ’s the difference?

Hypoxia is a very low level of oxygen. It’s used in two different contexts: the oxygen level of bodily tissue or of an environment (like a swamp). Hypoxemia specifically refers to an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood. Hypo- means “low”; ox- refers to oxygen; and the -emia in hypoxemia indicates a blood condition (like it does in anemia).

hypoxia

noun

  1. Biology. a very low level of oxygen, as in an organic environment:

    The fish have developed a tolerance to the hypoxia of the swamp.

  2. Pathology. an abnormally low amount of oxygen in the body tissues: Compare anoxia ( def 2 ), hypoxemia.

    Premature newborns are routinely placed in incubators to treat or prevent hypoxia.

hypoxemia

noun

Pathology.
  1. inadequate oxygenation of the blood:

    A mild case of hypoxemia may be treatable with supplemental oxygen therapy alone.