hypoxia vs. anoxia

hypoxia vs. anoxia: What's the difference?

Hypoxia and anoxia both refer to conditions in an organic environment. Hypoxia refers to a very low level of oxygen, while anoxia refers to a total lack of oxygen. Both are used in biology to refer to the oxygen level of an environment (like a swamp) and in pathology to refer to the oxygen level of bodily tissue. Hypo- means “low”; an- means “none”; and ox- refers to oxygen.

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.

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

anoxia

noun

  1. Biology.,  the absence of oxygen, as in an organic environment.

    the simulation of aquatic anoxia in the laboratory.

  2. Pathology.,  the absence or near absence of oxygen in the body tissues; severe hypoxia.

    Metabolism came to an irreversible standstill during prolonged anoxia.