Which condition is characterized by the divergence of nitrogen gas bubbles in a diver's body?

Decompression sickness is the condition that occurs when a diver ascends too quickly after being at depths where nitrogen is under higher pressure, leading to the formation of nitrogen gas bubbles in the body. This happens because the body absorbs nitrogen from the breathing gas at higher pressures, and if a diver ascends rapidly, the pressure decreases too quickly for the nitrogen to be safely expelled from the body. As a result, nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles, which can lead to various symptoms, including joint pain, dizziness, and potentially serious conditions affecting the lungs and central nervous system.

Barotrauma refers to injuries caused by changes in pressure, typically affecting areas filled with air like the ears and sinuses. It involves physical damage rather than nitrogen bubbles forming in tissues.

Nitrogen narcosis occurs at greater depths when the body becomes overloaded with nitrogen, leading to states of intoxication or altered mental states, but it does not involve the formation of bubbles and is more about the physiological effects of nitrogen at pressure.

Decompression stress is a broader term that relates to the physiological effects experienced during the ascent phase but does not specifically refer to the bubble formation characteristic of decompression sickness. Thus, decompression sickness is the precise condition linked to the development of nitrogen