PCO2
PCO2
PCO2 (pronounced as P-C-O-two), also known as Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide, is a term used in medicine and physiology to denote the pressure exerted by carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
Etymology
The term PCO2 is derived from the chemical notation for carbon dioxide (CO2) and the 'P' stands for 'partial pressure'. The concept of partial pressure is derived from Dalton's Law, which states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the pressures that each gas would exert if it were alone.
Definition
PCO2 is a measure of the pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood and reflects the balance between the production of CO2 by the body and its elimination by the lungs. It is a key parameter in the assessment of acid-base balance in the body and is typically measured as part of an arterial blood gas (ABG) test.
Normal Values
The normal range for PCO2 in arterial blood is 35-45 mmHg. Values outside this range may indicate a disturbance in the body's acid-base balance, such as metabolic acidosis or respiratory alkalosis.
Related Terms
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): A test that measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the body's acid-base balance.
- Metabolic Acidosis: A condition characterized by an excess of acid in the body fluids, often associated with a high PCO2 level.
- Respiratory Alkalosis: A condition characterized by a deficiency of acid in the body fluids, often associated with a low PCO2 level.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on PCO2
- Wikipedia's article - PCO2
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