Depression (physiology)

Not to be confused with Depression (mood) or Major depressive disorder.

Depression in physiology and medicine refers to a lowering, in particular a reduction in a specific biological variable or the function of an organ. It is in contrast to elevation.For example, it is possible to refer to "depressed thyroid function" or to a depression of blood flow in a particular area.

Further examples:

• Depression of the central nervous system of an animal may be expressed as drowsiness or sleep, lack of coordination and unconsciousness.
• Respiratory depression or hypoventilation.