Body Fluids: Composition and Measurements

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to body fluid composition, distribution, and measurements.

Total Body Water (TBW)

The total amount of water in the body, approximately 60% of body weight in adult males and less in females and elderly individuals.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

The fluid present inside the cells, also known as cytoplasm.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

The fluid present in the spaces outside the cell, including plasma, interstitial fluid, and transcellular fluid.

Plasma

The fluid part of the blood.

Interstitial Fluid

The fluid surrounding the cells outside of the blood vessels.

Transcellular Fluid

A component of extracellular fluid which includes fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humor, and synovial fluid.

Indicator Dilution Principle

A method used to measure the volume of a fluid compartment by injecting a substance and calculating the volume of fluid in which it distributes.

Osmolality

The number of osmoles per kilogram of water, with normal plasma osmolality ranging between 280 to 295 mOsm/kg H2O.

Dehydration

Excessive loss of water from the extracellular fluid (ECF).

Electrolyte

Minerals in your body that have an electric charge. They are in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids.