ScienceJuly 13, 2026

hypoxia

/haɪˈpɒk.si.ə/

Definition

A pathological condition characterized by a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'hypo-' meaning 'under' or 'deficient' and 'oxys' meaning 'sharp' or 'acid' (later used to denote oxygen). It entered medical terminology to describe states where oxygen levels are lower than required for normal bodily function.

In the news

The term is used in the context of aerospace medicine to study how reduced oxygen levels affect an astronaut's cognitive performance, cerebral blood flow, and overall oxygenation.

NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,207 10 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)

Read the full article ↗

Astrobiology Web

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.

Not for marketing. One email on launch day.