pO2st

pO2st is a term that refers to the partial pressure of oxygen. It is a measurement used in biology and medicine to indicate the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a fluid, such as blood or tissue. The "p" in pO2 stands for partial pressure, and "O2" is the chemical symbol for oxygen.

The partial pressure of oxygen is a crucial indicator of oxygen transport and utilization within the body. In clinical settings, arterial pO2 (PaO2) is commonly measured to assess how well the lungs are oxygenating the blood. A normal PaO2 for a healthy individual at sea level is typically between 80 and 100 mmHg. Lower values may indicate conditions like hypoxemia, which can result from lung disease, heart conditions, or impaired breathing.

Venous pO2 (PvO2) measures the oxygen tension in venous blood returning to the heart. It reflects the amount of oxygen extracted by tissues. Tissue pO2 is also a vital parameter, as it indicates whether cells are receiving sufficient oxygen for their metabolic needs. Hypoxia, a state of insufficient oxygen supply to tissues, can be directly linked to low tissue pO2. Monitoring pO2 levels is essential for diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions.