Cyanosis refers to the bluish coloration of the skin due to the presence of deoxygenated hemoglobin in blood vessels near the skin surface. The term symptom (from the Greek syn = con/plus and pipto = fall, together meaning co-exist) has two similar meanings in the context of physical and mental health: Strictly, a symptom is a sensation or change in health function experienced by a patient. ... In medicine, a sign is a feature of disease as detected by the doctor during physical examination of a patient. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ... The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... In zootomy and dermatology, skin is an organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs. ... 3-dimensional structure of hemoglobin. ... The arterial system The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ...

Types

It can occur in the fingers, including underneath the fingernails, as well as other extremities (called peripheral cyanosis), or in the lips and face (central cyanosis). Fingers of the human left hand The finger is any of the digits of the hand in humans and other species such as the great apes. ... Nails: left hand, adult human male Anatomy In anatomy, a nail is a horn-like piece at the end of an animal finger or toe. ... The lips of a female Lips are a visible organ at the mouth of humans and many animals. ...

Central cyanosis

Central cyanosis suggests a circulatory or ventilatory problem that leads to poorer blood oxygenation in the lungs or greater oxygen extraction due to slowing down of blood circulation in the skin's blood vessels. Oxygenation refers to the amount of oxygen in a medium. ...

Acute cyanosis can be a result of asphyxiation or choking, and is one of the surest signs that respiration is being blocked.

The elementary principle behind cyanosis is that deoxygenated hemoglobin produces the bluish discoloration, and also produces vasoconstriction that makes it more evident. Thus oxygen deficiency - hypoxia - leads to blue discoloration of the lips and other mucus membranes. Hypoxia is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole (generalised hypoxia) or region of the body (tissue hypoxia) is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. ... The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular: mucosa) are linings of ectodermic origin, covered in epithelium, and are involved in absorption and secretion. ...

Peripheral cyanosis

Peripheral cyanosis suggests that there is poor circulation in the small vessels involved, such as when a person's hands are very cold. However, this condition can also be permanent even in normal temperatures; see acrocyanosis. The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ... The arterial system The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... // The hands (med. ... Acrocyanosis is a disorder of the cardiovascular system that causes cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin) of the hands and sometimes the feet. ...

See also

• Blue baby syndrome

A cyanotic newborn, or blue baby Blue baby syndrome (or simply, blue baby) is a laymans term used to describe newborns with cyanotic conditions, such as: Cyanotic heart defects Tetralogy of Fallot Dextro-Transposition of the great arteries Hypoplastic left heart syndrome Methemoglobinemia On November 29, 1944, the Johns...

External links

• eMedicine
• Health-cares.net
• Texas Heart Institute