Definition of the word suspended animation

The term "suspended animation" is a scientific and medical term that refers to the temporary halting of various physiological processes in a living organism, causing it to enter into a state of apparent death or inactivity. This condition is not the same as being in a deep coma or hibernation, as the metabolic rate and brain functions are drastically reduced during suspended animation, rather than merely slowed down. The phrase "suspended animation" was first coined in the early 19th century by the surgeon and physiologist, James Yates, to describe the state of a patient in coma, where their body seemed suspended in a state of stillness and without any apparent life-signs. The word "animation" in this context refers to the vital and life-giving function of a living organism, which appears to be in a suspended or halted state during this condition. Today, the term is commonly used in science fiction and medical literature, where it represents a hypothetical state potentially achievable through advanced medical technologies, such as cryopreservation, that allows individuals to be preserved and conserved until a future time when medical technology can reverse the effects of suspended animation.