Extracellular fluid

Extracellular fluid is the body fluid outside cells, including blood plasma and interstitial fluid. It provides the medium for exchange between cells and the circulatory system.

Intracellular fluid: Intracellular fluid is the water and dissolved substances inside cells. It forms the complementary fluid compartment separated from extracellular fluid by cell membranes.
Starling equation: The Starling equation describes fluid movement across capillary walls from hydrostatic and oncotic pressure differences. It estimates exchange between plasma and interstitial fluid.
Edema: Edema is abnormal excess fluid in interstitial tissues or body cavities. It reflects increased interstitial fluid accumulation.
Homeostasis: Homeostasis is the regulation of internal conditions within ranges compatible with life. Regulating extracellular volume and composition is central to stable internal conditions.
Interstitial fluid: Interstitial fluid is extracellular fluid occupying spaces between tissue cells. It is the compartment that directly bathes most cells.
Osmosis: Osmosis is the net movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward higher effective solute concentration. It shifts water between extracellular and intracellular compartments.
Dehydration: Dehydration is a deficit of body water relative to physiological needs. It can reduce extracellular fluid volume and disturb its concentration.
Electrolyte: An electrolyte is a substance that produces electrically charged ions when dissolved in water. Extracellular electrolytes govern osmotic balance and contribute to membrane potentials.
Blood plasma: Blood plasma is the liquid portion of blood, excluding blood cells and platelets. It is the circulating component of extracellular fluid.
Capillary exchange: Capillary exchange is the movement of water and solutes between blood and surrounding tissues. It links plasma with interstitial fluid.

Linked from 9 pages