Asphyxias

/æsˈfɪksiəz/ noun

Definition

Plural of asphyxia; multiple instances or types of conditions involving oxygen deprivation and lack of pulse.

Etymology

Simple plural of 'asphyxia,' from Greek 'a-' (not) + 'sphyzis' (pulse), originally describing loss of pulse rather than breathing failure.

Kelly Says

Interestingly, the original Greek meaning was literally 'no pulse'—but doctors eventually realized that asphyxia stops your heart because the brain runs out of oxygen, not the other way around.

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