Insufficient oxygen to the brain is called what?

• A. Anoxia
• B. Hypoxia
• C. Ischemia
• D. Hyperoxia

Answer: (B)

Hypoxia is the condition in which tissue doesn’t receive enough oxygen. The brain depends on a steady oxygen supply to produce the energy its neurons need, so when oxygen delivery drops, brain function is impaired and can be damaged if the shortage lasts. This term directly describes reduced oxygen levels reaching the brain.

Anoxia would mean no oxygen at all, which is more extreme than “insufficient.” Ischemia refers to reduced blood flow to tissue, which can cause hypoxia, but the essence of the question is about oxygen availability itself, not the blood flow issue. Hyperoxia is having too much oxygen, the opposite situation.