What does oximetry mean?
Oximetry is the measurement of how much oxygen is present in the blood, expressed normally as the percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen. The most familiar form is pulse oximetry, which uses light passing through a fingertip or another part of the body to estimate oxygen saturation without drawing blood. Accurate readings are important in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, respiratory care, and the assessment of conditions that may reduce oxygen levels. Although often discussed in clinical settings, the underlying idea is straightforward: it provides a quick indication of whether the blood is receiving and carrying adequate oxygen. The related device, an oximeter, displays the measured saturation, while oximetry names the process of taking the measurement. The term is technical, but it is widely understood in healthcare and increasingly familiar through home monitoring and wearable devices.
nounThe measurement of the amount of oxygen in blood, especially the percentage of haemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen. It is most commonly performed with a pulse oximeter.
- The measurement of blood oxygen saturation, typically using a pulse oximeter.
"Pulse oximetry indicated that her oxygen saturation was falling rapidly."
"The nurse performed oximetry and recorded the patient's oxygen saturation."
"Continuous oximetry is often used to monitor patients with respiratory conditions."
Usually uncountable when referring to the procedure as a whole; the plural is used when separate measurements or results are being counted.
"The clinician compared the overnight oximetries to identify a recurring drop in oxygen saturation."
Oximetry reveals what the blood is carrying invisibly: oxygen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of oximetry
Oximetry combines oxy-, referring to oxygen, with the combining form -metry, derived from Greek metron, meaning “measure.” Its deeper elements come from Greek oxys, meaning “sharp” or “acid,” which became associated with oxygen and its acidic-forming compounds. The development of blood-oxygen measurement in the twentieth century led to the modern name for both the procedure and the oximeter used to carry it out.
Related word forms
How oximetry is actually used
The word is chiefly used in medicine, nursing, emergency care, and sleep or respiratory monitoring. It normally denotes the measurement or monitoring process rather than an individual device; the device itself is an oximeter.