Which term means reduced blood flow to a tissue causing lack of oxygen?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Necrosis
• C. Ischemia
• D. Edema

Answer: (C)

Ischemia is reduced blood flow to a tissue that causes a lack of oxygen. When blood flow is diminished, less oxygen and nutrients reach the cells, forcing them to rely on less efficient anaerobic metabolism. If the flow is restored quickly, tissues can recover, but prolonged ischemia can lead to cellular injury and, ultimately, tissue death. This differs from edema, which is swelling from fluid buildup; hypertension, which is high blood pressure; and necrosis, which is the death of cells or tissue that can result from severe or prolonged ischemia but is the outcome, not the process described here.