What is the term for decreased oxygen supply to the tissues?

The term for decreased oxygen supply to the tissues is hypoxia. Hypoxia specifically refers to a condition where there is insufficient oxygen available to meet the metabolic needs of the tissues, which can lead to cellular dysfunction and organ damage. This condition can arise from various factors, such as inadequate oxygenation of blood, reduced blood flow, or impaired oxygen utilization at the cellular level.

In contrast, hypoxemia refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood but does not always translate to reduced tissue oxygenation. Hypercapnia is an elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can also affect oxygen delivery but is not directly a measure of oxygen supply. Hypotension indicates low blood pressure, which can compromise blood flow and theoretically contribute to tissue hypoxia, but it does not directly define the oxygen supply issue. Therefore, hypoxia is the most accurate term for the decreased oxygen supply to tissues.