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Review

Cyanosis

H. L. Snider
H Kenneth Walker  1 , W Dallas Hall  1 , J Willis Hurst  1
, editors.
In: Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 45.
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Review

Cyanosis

H. L. Snider.
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Excerpt

Cyanosis is a bluish color of mucous membranes and/or skin. While this is most frequently attributable to increased amounts of unoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyhemoglobin) in the vasculature, there are other causes of bluish skin color.

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References

    1. *Blount SG., Jr. Cyanosis: pathophysiology and differential diagnosis. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1971;13:595–605. - PubMed
    1. Comroe JH, Jr,, Botelho AB. The unreliablity of cyanosis in the recognition of arterial anoxemia. Am J Med Sci. 1947;214:1–6. - PubMed
    1. Edwards EA, Duntley SQ. The pigments and color of living human skin. Am J Anat. 1939;65:1–33.
    1. Finch CA. Methemoglobinemia and sulfhemoglobinemia. N Engl J Med. 1948;239:470–78. - PubMed
    1. Geraci JE, Wood EH. The relationship of the arterial oxygen saturation to cyanosis. Med Clin North Am. 1951;35:1185–1202. - PubMed

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