What condition is defined by insufficient blood supply to an organ or tissue?

Ischemia is accurately defined as a condition characterized by an insufficient blood supply to an organ or tissue. This lack of blood flow can lead to a variety of problems because blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen that tissues need to function properly. When blood supply is reduced due to factors such as blocked arteries or decreased circulation, the affected tissues become starved of oxygen and nutrients, which can impair their function and lead to damage.

In contrast, infarction refers to tissue death resulting from prolonged ischemia, typically due to an obstruction in the blood supply. Hypoxia involves a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues but doesn’t necessarily imply a reduced blood supply, as it can occur even with adequate blood flow if the blood carries insufficient oxygen. Necrosis refers to the death of cells or tissues in the body, often as a result of sustained ischemia or infarction, but it is a consequence rather than a defining characteristic of insufficient blood supply. Thus, the primary concept of ischemia accurately encapsulates the essence of insufficient blood flow to tissues or organs.