What does ischemia refer to?

Ischemia specifically refers to the restriction of oxygen-rich blood flow to a body part. This condition occurs when blood supply is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of the tissues, leading to a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients required for cellular function. This can result in tissue injury or damage over time if not addressed.

The other options describe different physiological phenomena. For example, a complete lack of blood flow would be termed "necrosis" if it leads to cell death, while rapid blood flow might indicate conditions such as hyperemia, and the formation of new blood vessels is referred to as "angiogenesis," which is a separate process altogether from ischemia. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing and addressing various medical conditions effectively.