Fink effect

noun

The temporary increase in both the concentrations and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli when water-soluble gases (e.g. nitrous oxide) are breathed in large quantities so they can be dissolved in body fluids rapidly.

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Meanings

nounFink effect (plural Fink effects)

plural Fink effects

  1. medicineThe temporary increase in both the concentrations and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli when water-soluble gases (e.g. nitrous oxide) are breathed in large quantities so they can be dissolved in body fluids rapidly.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
diffusion hypoxia

Origin

Named after British physician Bernard Raymond Fink, who first explained the effect in 1955.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Fink effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fink%20effect

MLA

“Fink effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fink%20effect. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Fink effect,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Fink%20effect.

Source: Fink effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.