noun
- a bright red compound formed when oxygen binds to haemoglobin in the blood; the form of haemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues
Usage: chiefly British spelling; American spelling is oxyhemoglobin; technical/medical term; also called oxyhæmoglobin
Examples
- Oxyhaemoglobin gives arterial blood its bright red colour.
- The lungs convert haemoglobin to oxyhaemoglobin as oxygen is absorbed.
- Oxyhaemoglobin releases oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
- The saturation of oxyhaemoglobin is measured to assess respiratory function.
- When oxyhaemoglobin levels drop, tissues may become oxygen-deprived.