PowerPoint Presentation

What is Interstitial Fluid?Interstitial fluid (or tissue fluid) is a solution that bathes and surrounds the cells of multicellular animals. It is the main component of the extracellular fluid, which also includes plasma and trans cellular fluid. The interstitial fluid is found in the interstitial spaces, also known as the tissue spaces.

On average, a person has about 10 litres (2.4 imperial gallons or ~2.9 US gal) of interstitial fluid, providing the cells of the body with nutrients and a means of waste removal.

HOMENEXTBACKHow Is Interstitial Fluid Was Formed?

Hydrostatic pressure is generated by the systolic force of the heart. It pushes water out of the capillaries.

The water potential is created due to the ability of small solutes to pass through the walls of capillaries. This build up of solutes induces osmosis. The water passes from a high concentration (of water) outside of the vessels to a low concentration inside of the vessels, in an attempt to reach an equilibrium. The osmotic pressure drives water back into the vessels. Because the blood in the capillaries is constantly flowing, equilibrium is never reached.

HOMEBACKNEXTComposition of Interstitial Fluid

Amino AcidsSaltsHormonesLeucocytesGlucoseCo-EnzymesNeurotransmittersWater

HOMEBACKNEXTThe composition of tissue fluid depends upon the exchanges between the cells in the biological tissue and the blood. This means that tissue fluid has a different composition in different tissues and in different areas of the bodyImportance of Interstitial FluidFills the space found in between the cellsThe medium of diffusion Important in diffusion of waste products from the cells into the bloodNeurotransmission between neuron and target cells happen across the interstitial fluidProvides moist medium for the cellsProvides optimal environtment for the cells

HOMEBACKNEXTNot all of the contents of the blood pass into the tissue, which means that tissue fluid and blood are not the same. Red blood cells, platelets, and plasma proteins cannot pass through the walls of the capillaries. The resulting mixture that does pass through is, in essence, blood plasma without the plasma proteins. Tissue fluid also contains some types of white blood cell, which help combat infection.

Lymph is considered to be extracellular fluid until it enters the lymphatic vessels where it is then considered to be lymph. The lymphatic system returns protein and excess interstitial fluid to the circulation.

The ionic composition of the interstitial fluid and blood plasma vary due to the GibbsDonnan effect. This causes a slight difference in the concentration of cations and anions between the two fluid compartments.Interstitial Fluid Circulations

HOMEBACKNEXT