cyanosis
cyanosis (sy-ă-noh-sis) n. a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from an inadequate amount of oxygen in arterial blood (central c.), due to reduced oxygenation of blood in the pulmonary circulation, or in venous blood (peripheral c.), due to excessive extraction of oxygen in the tissues. Cyanosis is associated with heart failure, lung diseases, the breathing of oxygen-deficient atmospheres, and asphyxia. Cyanosis is also seen in blue babies, because of congenital heart defects.
—cyanotic adj.
—cyanotic adj.
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cyanosis
