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hypoxia
(hi-pok´se-ә)
lowered availability of oxygen to the body tissues. There are many different causes, such as decreased oxygen in the atmosphere (as in altitude sickness); pulmonary disorders that interfere with breathing; anemia or circulatory problems that cause inadequate transport and delivery of oxygen to the tissues; and edema or other abnormal conditions of the tissues themselves that impair the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between capillaries and tissues. adj., hypox´ic., adj.

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