Blood gas tension
Blood Gas Tension
Blood gas tension (pronunciation: /blʌd gæs ˈtɛnʃən/) refers to the partial pressure of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, in the blood. It is a crucial parameter in assessing the respiratory function in a patient.
Etymology
The term "blood gas tension" is derived from the words "blood", "gas", and "tension". "Blood" (Old English blōd) refers to the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals. "Gas" (invented by J.B. Van Helmont, Flemish chemist, 17th century, from Greek khaos meaning "empty space") refers to an air-like fluid substance. "Tension" (Latin tensio meaning "a stretching") in this context refers to the pressure exerted by a particular gas in a mixture of gases.
Related Terms
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): A test that measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the acidity (pH).
- Partial Pressure: The pressure that would be exerted by one of the gases in a mixture if it occupied the same volume on its own.
- Oxygen Saturation: A measure of how much oxygen the blood is carrying as a percentage of the maximum it could carry.
- Carbon Dioxide: A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration.
Blood Gas Tension in Medicine
In medicine, the measurement of blood gas tension is vital in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with respiratory and metabolic disorders. It helps in determining the oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status of a patient. The most common method of measuring blood gas tension is through an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test.
The normal values for blood gas tension are:
- Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2): 75 to 100 mmHg
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): 38 to 42 mmHg
Any deviation from these normal values can indicate a medical condition that requires treatment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood gas tension
- Wikipedia's article - Blood gas tension
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