Oxygen saturation

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Oxygen Saturation

Oxygen saturation (pronunciation: /ˈɒksɪdʒən sætʃəˈreɪʃən/) is a term referring to the concentration of oxygen in the blood. It is often abbreviated as SpO2 where the 'Sp' stands for peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and the 'O2' stands for oxygen.

Etymology

The term 'oxygen saturation' is derived from the English words 'oxygen' and 'saturation'. 'Oxygen' comes from the Greek words 'oxys' meaning 'sharp' and 'genes' meaning 'producer', referring to the element's role in forming acids. 'Saturation' comes from the Latin word 'saturare', meaning 'to fill', indicating the state of the blood when it is filled with as much oxygen as it can carry.

Definition

Oxygen saturation is a measure of the amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in the blood relative to the amount of hemoglobin not carrying oxygen. It is usually expressed as a percentage, with normal levels typically between 95% and 100%.

Measurement

Oxygen saturation is commonly measured using a device called a pulse oximeter. This non-invasive tool uses light absorption through a patient's finger, earlobe, or toe to estimate the oxygen saturation level.

Related Terms

  • Hypoxemia: A condition characterized by abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood.
  • Hyperoxia: A condition characterized by abnormally high levels of oxygen in the blood.
  • Anoxia: A condition characterized by an absence of oxygen supply to an organ or a tissue.
  • Hypoxia: A condition in which there is not enough oxygen available to the body's tissues.

See Also

External links

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