The lack of adequate blood supply to tissue is called what?

• A. Ischemia
• B. Hypoxia
• C. Necrosis
• D. Anemia

Answer: (A)

Lack of adequate blood supply to tissue is ischemia. This means the tissue isn’t receiving enough perfusion, so delivery of oxygen and nutrients drops. Hypoxia refers to low oxygen in the tissue and can occur with normal blood flow if the blood’s oxygen content is low or utilization is impaired, so it’s about oxygen levels rather than blood flow itself. Necrosis is the death of tissue that can result from prolonged ischemia or injury, so it’s a consequence rather than the initial problem. Anemia involves too few red blood cells or hemoglobin, reducing the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity but not by itself describing reduced blood flow to a specific tissue.