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Questions and Answers
What primarily causes central cyanosis?
In which area is cyanosis most easily identified?
Which form of oxygen transport constitutes the majority in the blood?
What leads to peripheral cyanosis?
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What is the normal range for arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in an individual breathing room air?
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Study Notes
Cyanosis
- Cyanosis is a blue discoloration of the skin caused by high levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood.
- It's easily noticeable in areas with a lot of blood vessels near the surface and thin skin.
- The word "cyanosis" comes from the Greek word kuaneos meaning dark blue.
- There are two types of cyanosis: central and peripheral.
- Central cyanosis is more common and caused by low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) due to lung or heart problems or blood disorders.
- Peripheral cyanosis is caused by reduced blood flow to the extremities, often due to cold temperatures or vasoconstriction.
- Oxygen is carried in the blood in two ways: dissolved in plasma and bound to hemoglobin.
- Normal arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in someone breathing room air at sea level is between 80-100 mm Hg.
- Only 1-2% of the total oxygen in the blood is dissolved, measured by PaO2.
- Most oxygen in the blood is bound to hemoglobin. The amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin is determined by the PaO2, which is represented by the oxygen dissociation curve.
- Hypoxemia is a condition where the oxygen saturation of the blood (SaO2) is below 90%.
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Description
Explore the phenomenon of cyanosis, a blue discoloration of the skin resulting from deoxygenated hemoglobin levels in the blood. Learn about its two primary types: central and peripheral cyanosis, as well as the physiological mechanisms behind oxygen transport in the circulatory system.
