noun

cyanosis

/saɪ.əˈnoʊ.sɪs/ · say it: sy·uh·NOH·sis

a bluish skin color from lack of oxygen

In Medicine & Health

In more detail

a bluish or purple discoloration of the skin caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood

Examples

The patient developed cyanosis around the lips due to the respiratory infection.

How to use cyanosis

Cyanosis is a clinical sign observed in medical contexts, particularly in diagnosis of respiratory, circulatory, or cardiovascular conditions. It is used objectively to describe visible symptoms rather than the patient's subjective experience. The term appears frequently in medical examination and documentation.

Common phrases

central cyanosis
peripheral cyanosis
cyanosis of the lips
cyanosis develops
check for cyanosis

Synonyms

blue discoloration · pallor (when severe) · acyanotic appearance (opposite)

Word family

cyanotic (adjective) · acyanotic (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse cyanosis with simple paleness or bruising; cyanosis specifically indicates a bluish-purple tone caused by deoxygenated hemoglobin, not mere pallor.

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