Interstitial fluid

Interstitial fluid is extracellular fluid occupying the spaces between tissue cells. It delivers substances to cells and carries away their waste, linking blood plasma with the cellular environment.

Starling equation: An equation describing fluid movement across capillary walls from hydrostatic and oncotic pressure differences. It models the pressure forces that filter fluid from capillaries into tissue spaces.
Extracellular fluid: All body fluid outside cells, including plasma, interstitial fluid, and specialized fluids. Interstitial fluid is one of its principal compartments.
Edema: An abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues that causes swelling. It occurs when interstitial fluid accumulates faster than it can be cleared.
Tissue perfusion: The passage of blood through a tissue's microvasculature. Perfusion supplies the capillaries that exchange substances with interstitial fluid.
Glymphatic system: A proposed brain-fluid transport pathway involving cerebrospinal fluid exchange with interstitial spaces and waste clearance. Its routes and contribution to brain waste removal remain active areas of investigation.
Capillary exchange: The movement of water, gases, nutrients, and wastes between blood and tissues across capillary walls. Interstitial fluid is the tissue-side compartment of this exchange.
Blood plasma: The liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended. It is the vascular fluid separated from interstitial fluid by capillary walls.
Lymphedema: Persistent tissue swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage. Reduced lymph removal allows interstitial fluid and proteins to build up.
Diffusion: The net movement of particles from higher to lower concentration due to random motion. Many nutrients, gases, and wastes cross tissue spaces by diffusion.
Brain interstitial fluid: Extracellular fluid occupying spaces among cells in brain tissue. Its exchange with cerebrospinal fluid and clearance routes are still being characterized.

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