Which term describes tissue death caused by a local lack of oxygen due to obstruction of the tissue's blood supply?

• A. Infarct
• B. Ischemia
• C. Necrosis
• D. Stenosis

Answer: (A)

When tissue loses blood flow due to obstruction, oxygen delivery drops. If this reduced oxygen supply is prolonged, the cells in that area cannot survive and die, creating dead tissue known as an infarct. In other words, infarction is tissue death that results specifically from sustained ischemia caused by blocked blood supply. Ischemia is the lack of blood flow itself and can be reversible if flow is restored soon. Necrosis refers to tissue death in general, which can occur for reasons beyond just a blocked vessel. Stenosis is the narrowing of a blood vessel that can lead to ischemia but is not itself tissue death.