The Cyanosis reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Cyanosis

Cyanosis refers to the bluish coloration of the skin due to the presence of deoxygenated blood in blood vessels near the skin surface.

Cyanosis can occurs in the fingers and extremities (called peripheral cyanosis), or in the lips and face (central cyanosis).

Peripheral cyanosis suggests that there is poor circulation in the small vesselss involved, such as when a person's hands are very cold.

Central cyanosis suggests the problem is to do with the heart's ability to pump blood, or the state of the blood itself.

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