hypoxia vs. hypoxemia

hypoxia vs. hypoxemia: What’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.

    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.