noun

ischemia

is-KEE-mee-uh/ɪˈskimiə/

Insufficient blood supply to body tissue.

A blocked artery causes ischemia by limiting blood flow to tissue.

A close anatomical cutaway shows an artery severely narrowed by plaque, with plentiful red blood cells upstream and only a sparse trickle reaching a pale patch of downstream muscle tissue.

Etymology

The pieces express blood being held back: the underlying Greek term meant “stopping blood.” In the medical sense, this refers to reduced blood flow to tissue.

In context

HIE Help Center0:30

ischemia refers to a shortage of blood flow to the brain or another organ

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: About, Treatments, & Causes

More examples

The scan shows signs of ischemia in the heart muscle.
Severe ischemia can damage tissue if blood flow is not restored.
Doctors treat intestinal ischemia by restoring blood flow to the bowel.

Forms

ischemic adjective — Affected by or relating to insufficient blood supply.

Similar words

hypoperfusion: Hypoperfusion emphasizes reduced blood flow, which may cause ischemia.