carbon monoxide

carbon /car·bon/ (C) (kahr´bon) a chemical element, at. no. 6.

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carbon dioxide  an odorless, colorless gas, CO2, resulting from oxidation of carbon, and formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs; used in some pump oxygenators to maintain blood carbon dioxide tension. In solid form it is carbon dioxide snow (see under snow ).

carbon monoxide  an odorless gas, CO, formed by burning carbon or organic fuels with a scanty supply of oxygen; inhalation causes central nervous system damage and asphyxiation by combining irreversibly with blood hemoglobin.

carbon tetrachloride  a clear, colorless, volatile liquid; inhalation of its vapors can depress central nervous system activity and cause degeneration of the liver and kidneys.

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carbon monoxide

n.

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon or of a carbonaceous material, such as gasoline.

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Carbon monoxide

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas.

Mentioned in: Antiparkinson Drugs

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carbon monoxide (CO)

Etymology: L, carbo + Gk, monos, single, oxys, sharp

a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by the combustion of carbon or organic fuels in a limited oxygen supply, as in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine or an improperly set oil or gas furnace. CO combines irreversibly with hemoglobin, preventing the formation of oxyhemoglobin and reducing the oxygen supply to the tissues. Prolonged exposure to high levels of CO results in asphyxiation.

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carbon monoxide 

a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, CO, formed by burning carbon or organic fuels with a scanty supply of oxygen; it is the number one cause of unintentional poisoning around the world (see carbon monoxide poisoning). Inhalation causes central nervous system damage and asphyxiation. Carbon monoxide is present in the exhaust of gasoline engines, in the smoke of wood and coal fires, in manufactured gas such as that used in the household, and wherever carbon burns without a sufficient supply of oxygen.

carbon monoxide poisoning poisoning by carbon monoxide, the most common type of gas poisoning around the world. When the gas is inhaled and comes in contact with the blood, it combines more readily with hemoglobin than oxygen does. Thus it takes the place of oxygen in the erythrocytes, and the tissues are deprived of their normal oxygen supply. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning begin with dizziness, headache, weakness, shortness of breath, and sometimes nausea; the skin and mucous membranes become cherry red in color. Unconsciousness follows, with death from asphyxia if a large enough quantity is inhaled.

Treatment. The victim of acute carbon monoxide poisoning should be moved immediately to an open area with fresh air. Administration of 100 per cent oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen via face mask may be indicated.

Prevention. Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are usually accidental. It should be remembered that carbon monoxide has no odor and its presence may not be detected unless other gases, such as exhaust fumes from an automobile motor, are also escaping. Care should be taken to ensure proper ventilation of working and sleeping areas. It is extremely dangerous to leave an automobile motor running in a closed garage. Stoves and furnaces should be kept in good repair. Burners using gas, especially in a bedroom, should have a ventilator pipe to carry the exhaust to the outside.

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carbon,

n a nonmetallic tetravalent element that occurs in pure form in diamonds and graphite. It occurs as a component of all living tissue. Most of the study of organic chemistry focuses on the vast number of carbon compounds.

carbon coated,

adj a vitreous carbon coating applied to either an endosteal or blade implant to improve tissue compatability.

carbon dioxide,

n a colorless, odorless gas produced by the complete oxidation of carbon. It is a product of cell respiration and is carried by the blood to the lungs and exhaled. The acid-base balance of body fluids and tissues is affected by the level of it and its carbonate compounds.

carbon monoxide,

n a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by the combustion of carbon or organic fuels in a limited oxygen supply. It combines irreversibly with hemoglobin, preventing the formation of oxyhemoglobin and reducing the oxygen supply to the tissues.

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carbon monoxide

a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, CO, formed by burning carbon or organic fuels with a scanty supply of oxygen; inhalation causes central nervous system damage and asphyxiation. Carbon monoxide is present in the exhaust of petrol engines, in the smoke of wood and coal fires, in manufactured gas such as that used in the household, and wherever carbon burns without a sufficient supply of oxygen. Used as a euthanizing agent for dogs and laboratory animals.

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carbon monoxide poisoning

poisoning by carbon monoxide; one of the most common types of gas poisoning. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it comes in contact with the blood and combines with hemoglobin. Since carbon monoxide combines more readily with hemoglobin than does oxygen, it takes the place of oxygen in the erythrocytes, and the tissues are thus deprived of their normal oxygen supply. Death from asphyxia results if a large enough quantity of carbon monoxide is inhaled. Because death is very sudden, carbon monoxide has been used as a euthanatizing agent for dogs in large numbers. It is not widely used because of the danger to human attendants and the difficulty in maintaining a CO generator in good condition for long periods.

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carbon monoxide

CO Clinical toxicology A byproduct of combustion, which is a tasteless, odorless gas that outcompetes O₂ for Hb binding–CO has a 200-fold > affinity for active heme sites than O₂ Clinical-early Headache, nausea Clinical-late Coma, cardiovascular collapse Clinical-too late Death