cyanosis
/,saiə'nousis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes: A medical condition where the skin and mucous membranes (like the lips or inside of the mouth) turn a bluish or purplish color. This is a clinical sign indicating a significant lack of oxygen in the blood.
Usage
- Cyanosis is used as a non-count noun to describe the condition or symptom itself.
- It is a technical term primarily used in medical contexts by healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses) or in medical literature.
- It describes an observable physical sign, not a disease. It is a symptom of an underlying problem affecting blood oxygenation.
Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor noted cyanosis around the patient's lips and fingertips.
- Central cyanosis, visible on the tongue, is a more serious sign than peripheral cyanosis in the hands.
- The newborn's cyanosis was a cause for immediate concern.
Advanced Usage
"Central cyanosis": Bluish discoloration seen in core areas like the lips, tongue, and trunk. It indicates a more severe systemic problem with oxygenation.
- Central cyanosis is a key indicator of congenital heart disease in infants.
"Peripheral cyanosis": Bluish discoloration in the extremities, such as fingers, toes, or nose. It can be caused by reduced blood flow rather than low blood oxygen content.
- Raynaud's phenomenon can cause peripheral cyanosis in cold weather.
"Acrocyanosis": A specific, persistent bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, often related to circulation.
- Acrocyanosis is a benign form of cyanosis common in newborns.
Variants and Related Words
- Cyanotic (adj): Describing the state of having cyanosis.
- The patient was cyanotic and struggling to breathe.
Synonyms
- Bluish discoloration: A more general, non-technical description.
- Hypoxemia sign: A clinical indicator of low oxygen in the blood (this describes the cause, not the visual symptom itself).
Different Meanings
- Cyanosis has a single, specific meaning in modern English related to medicine and physiology. It does not have common metaphorical or slang uses.
Noun
- a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished (as in carbon monoxide poisoning)