What it means
The blood as it moves through the arteries, veins and capillaries, carrying oxygen, nutrients, hormones, drugs and wastes. A drug given IV enters the bloodstream at once; other routes reach it more slowly. A bloodstream infection (bacteremia) means germs have entered the blood, which can lead to sepsisSEP-sisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.Full entry .
At a glance
| Spanish | torrente sanguíneo |
|---|---|
| Also written | bloodstreams, blood stream |
Related terms
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
systemic
Affecting the whole body rather than one part.
cardiovascular system
The heart and blood vessels, which together move blood through the body.