sphygmo-, sphygm-, -sphyxia

A difference in volume, force, or time of the pulse in the corresponding arteries on two sides of the body; such as, the two radials, or femorals (thighs).

1. A stopping of the pulse because of pathological (disease or illness) changes that are caused by a lack of oxygen when breathing air, resulting in hypoxia and hypercapnia: Asphyxia is a condition in which there is an extreme decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the body that is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide which can result in a loss of consciousness or even death.

Asphyxia can result from choking, drowning, electric shock, injury, or the breathing in of non-toxic or toxic gases.

2. Etymology: from Latin asphyxia, borrowed from Greek asphyxia, "a stopping of the pulse"; from a-, "without" + sphyxis, "pulse"; from sphyzein, "to throb", of uncertain origin.

A form of respiratory failure in which the skin has a cyanotic or bluish discoloration because of a lack of oxygen in the blood.

A reference to suffocation: The asphyxiant condition is usually caused by an obstruction in the throat or it can be result from being poisoned by chemical substances which hinder breathing and decreases the proper amount of oxygen in the blood stream.

To cause smothering and choking because of an insufficient intake of air or oxygen: The person who is asphyxiating usually starts to breath very rapidly and strongly in an effort to overcome the lack of oxygen and there is also a strong increase in the rate of the heart and much higher blood pressure.

A condition in which someone is gasping for air because of breathing difficulties.

An abnormal slowness of the pulse rate, usually linked to a slow heart beat: Anyone who has a sudden or a strong bradysphygmia may have symptoms of a loss of energy, weakness, and fainting attacks.

An instrument for recording graphically the movements of the heart and the radial pulse.

An instrument formerly used for the study of the rhythms of the pulse: Jane read in her grandfather's medical book that a chronosphygmograph was used by doctors for determining the throbbing or beating rhythm of a patient's pulse.

1. A recording of blood pressure by means of a hydrosphygmograph using water as an index.
2. A sphygmograph in which the pulse beat is transmitted to the recorder through a column of water.

A sphygmograph is an instrument which, when applied over an artery, indicates graphically the movements or character of the pulse.

A polygraph recording of both the heartbeat and the radial pulse.

A polygraph (multiple) recording of both the heartbeat and the radial pulse; such as, on the wrist.

A modified sphygmograph that represents graphically the time relations between the beat of the heart and the pulse; a recording of the character of the pulse as well as its rapidity: Jane learned that a sphygmochronograph was a device that recorded the number of pulsations per minute.