What term is defined as inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells?

The term that describes inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells is hypoxia. Hypoxia occurs when there is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can be caused by various conditions such as high altitudes, respiratory illnesses, or issues with hemoglobin. It can result from a reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the environment, impaired diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli, or inadequate oxygen transport by the blood.

Ischemia, on the other hand, refers to an inadequate blood supply to a tissue or organ, which can lead to a reduction in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients as well as the removal of metabolic waste products. While ischemia can cause hypoxia, it specifically denotes a problem with blood flow rather than oxygen availability alone.

Apoxia is not a widely recognized term in medical literature; instead, "hypoxia" is the accepted term used to describe low oxygen conditions. Oxyhemia pertains to the state of blood being saturated with oxygen, which is not directly related to the delivery of oxygen to cells but rather the oxygen content in the arterial blood.

Thus, the correct answer is hypoxia, as it directly refers to the condition of cells not receiving adequate oxygen, while ischemia relates to a broader issue of blood supply