What term describes a condition without oxygen or a deficiency of oxygen?

The term that describes a condition without oxygen or a deficiency of oxygen is hypoxia. This condition occurs when there is an insufficient amount of oxygen available to tissues and organs, leading to cellular dysfunction and, if prolonged, potential tissue damage or death.

Hypoxia can result from various factors, including respiratory issues, high altitudes, or anemia. Understanding hypoxia is crucial in health science, as clinicians often need to determine the cause of this oxygen deficiency in patients to provide appropriate interventions.

The other terms relate to specific conditions involving oxygen but do not accurately define a state of oxygen deficiency. Hyperoxia refers to an excess of oxygen in the tissues, oxyhemia refers specifically to the presence of oxygen in the blood, and ischemia denotes a restriction in blood supply to tissues, which may or may not involve oxygen deficiency.