carboxyhemoglobin /kärbok′sēhē″məglō′bin, -hem″-/ [L, carbo + Gk, oxys, sharp, haima, blood; L, globus, ball] , a hemoglobin variant produced by the exposure of hemoglobin to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide from the environment is inhaled into the lungs, absorbed through the alveoli, and bound to hemoglobin in the blood, blocking the sites for oxygen transport. Oxygen levels decrease, and hypoxia and anoxia may result. Also spelled carboxyhaemoglobin. See also carbon monoxide poisoning, oxyhemoglobin.
