The setting of blood or fluids on dependent portions of the body is called?

• A. Hypostasis
• B. Hypovolemia
• C. Hyperemia
• D. Hypoxia

Answer: (A)

Hypostasis is the settling or pooling of blood and fluids in the dependent parts of the body due to gravity. This appears as livor mortis—a purplish discoloration of surfaces that are lowest in the body, often seen after death. It reflects fluid movement toward dependent areas and helps distinguish this condition from other states: hypovolemia means low circulating blood volume, hyperemia is an excess of blood in a tissue due to vasodilation, and hypoxia is a lack of sufficient oxygen.