What term refers to a state where an individual is deprived of oxygen?

The term that refers to a state where an individual is deprived of oxygen is asphyxia. Asphyxia occurs when there is a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can be caused by a variety of factors, such as choking, suffocation, or drowning. This condition can lead to unconsciousness and, if not addressed, can result in death due to the critical role oxygen plays in cellular metabolism and overall physiological function.

While hypoxia also denotes a lack of oxygen, it typically refers to a less severe condition where tissue oxygen levels are abnormally low but not necessarily in an immediate life-threatening situation as with asphyxia. In contrast, oxygen depletion is a more general term that describes the reduced availability of oxygen but does not specifically address the physiological consequences. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, refers to the cessation of the heart's function, which results in a lack of blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body, rather than solely focusing on the deprivation of oxygen itself.

Overall, asphyxia is the most precise term that encompasses the acute and life-threatening nature of oxygen deprivation in individuals.