noun
- a compound formed when oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, enabling oxygen transport throughout the body
Usage: technical/medical; also spelled oxyhaemoglobin in British English
Examples
- Oxyhemoglobin gives arterial blood its bright red color.
- The lungs convert hemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin as oxygen is absorbed.
- Oxygen saturation measures the percentage of hemoglobin that has become oxyhemoglobin.
- When oxyhemoglobin reaches the tissues, it releases oxygen and reverts to deoxyhemoglobin.
- Blood tests can measure oxyhemoglobin levels to assess respiratory function.