methemoglobin
or met·hae·mo·glo·bin
[ met-hee-muh-gloh-bin, -hem-uh-, -hee-muh-gloh-, -hem-uh- ]
/ mɛtˈhi məˌgloʊ bɪn, -ˈhɛm ə-, -ˌhi məˈgloʊ-, -ˌhɛm ə- /
noun Biochemistry.
a brownish compound of oxygen and hemoglobin, formed in the blood, as by the use of certain drugs.
Also called
ferrihemoglobin,
hemiglobin.
Origin of methemoglobin
First recorded in 1865–70;
met- +
hemoglobin
Words nearby methemoglobin
methb,
methedrine,
metheglin,
methemalbumin,
methemalbuminemia,
methemoglobin,
methemoglobinemia,
methemoglobinuria,
methenamine,
methicillin,
methimazole
Medical definitions for methemoglobin
methemoglobin
[ mĕt-hē′mə-glō′bĭn ]
n.
A brownish-red crystalline organic compound formed in the blood when hemoglobin is oxidated either by decomposition of the blood or by the action of various oxidizing drugs or toxic agents. It contains iron in the ferric state and cannot function as an oxygen carrier.