oxygen

oxygen definition - medical

ox·y·gen (ŏkˈsĭ-jən)

noun Symbol O
  1. An element constituting 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume that occurs as a diatomic gas, O2, combines with most elements, is essential for plant and animal respiration, and is required for nearly all combustion. Atomic number 8.
  2. A medicinal gas used therapeutically for oxygen supplementation, containing not less than 99.0 percent, by volume, of O2.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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