What term describes the blocking of oxygen?

Asphyxiation is the term that specifically refers to the condition resulting from a lack of oxygen, leading to suffocation. This can occur when there is a blockage in the airway or when there is inadequate oxygen available in the environment. It emphasizes the critical role that oxygen plays in sustaining life and highlights the immediate health risks associated with its deprivation.

Hypoxia generally describes a state where there is a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues but does not always imply an obstruction. While respiratory arrest indicates that breathing has stopped, which can lead to asphyxiation, it is more about the cessation of the breathing process itself rather than the blocking of oxygen. Asphyxia is a broader term that can encompass various forms of oxygen deprivation, including asphyxiation, but it does not specifically define the act of blocking oxygen in the same way. Therefore, asphyxiation most accurately matches the description of the blockage of oxygen.