Knowra Edema Edema Edema is excess fluid accumulation in body tissues that causes swelling. It can be localized or widespread and may result from many different disorders.
Starling equation : An equation describing how hydrostatic and osmotic pressures govern fluid movement across a semipermeable membrane. Its pressure and protein terms explain how fluid leaves capillaries and enters tissue.
Peripheral edema : Edema affecting the limbs, especially the lower legs and feet. Gravity and venous pressure make this a common visible pattern of fluid accumulation.
Pitting edema : Edema in which pressure leaves a temporary indentation in the swollen tissue. The presence or absence of pitting helps characterize peripheral swelling.
Inflammation : A coordinated tissue response to injury or infection that can cause redness, heat, pain, and swelling. Inflammation may produce edema, but it is a broader biological response rather than fluid accumulation alone.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure : The pressure of blood within capillaries that tends to drive fluid across their walls. Elevated pressure pushes more fluid into tissues, especially in dependent body regions.
Pulmonary edema : Fluid accumulation in the lung interstitium and air spaces that impairs gas exchange. It shows how edema can become an acute threat to breathing.
Physical examination : The clinical assessment of a person’s body to identify signs of disease. Inspection and palpation establish edema’s location, extent, and physical character.
Lipedema : A chronic disorder involving disproportionate, often painful and bruise-prone accumulation of subcutaneous fat, usually in the legs. It can resemble limb edema, but the enlargement primarily reflects abnormal fat distribution.
Oncotic pressure : The osmotic pressure generated mainly by proteins that draws water toward a compartment. Low plasma oncotic pressure weakens the force retaining fluid in blood vessels.
Cerebral edema : Excess fluid in brain tissue that can raise intracranial pressure and damage neurological function. The rigid skull makes even localized swelling potentially dangerous.
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