Plain English Meaning
The blood is carrying enough oxygen, but the cells can't actually use it. Things like alcohol or certain drugs interfere with how the cells process oxygen, so the body suffers even though the oxygen is right there.
Full Definition
A form of hypoxia in which the body's tissues are unable to use the oxygen that has been delivered to them by the blood. Oxygen reaches the cells in normal amounts, but the cells cannot absorb or metabolize it. Common causes include alcohol, certain drugs, and poisons such as cyanide.
Context Anchor
Seen in aeromedical discussions of hypoxia, especially when learning how alcohol, drugs, and other substances can make altitude-related impairment worse.
Derivation
From the Greek 'histos' meaning 'tissue' and 'toxic' meaning 'poisonous.' So histotoxic literally means 'tissue-poisoning.' The name points to the cause: the tissues themselves have been poisoned and can no longer use oxygen, even when it's .