Hydrostatic pressure

Definition

Hydrostatic pressure in the context of anatomy and physiology is the pressure exerted by fluids, such as blood or interstitial fluid, due to their weight at a specific point within the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance across capillary walls, influencing both nutrient delivery and waste removal.

Related terms

Osmotic Pressure:

The force exerted by solutes in a solution attracting water across a semipermeable membrane, balancing hydrostatic pressure to regulate fluid volumes within compartments.

Capillary Filtration: The process by which water and solutes are forced from the blood plasma across capillary walls into the interstitial fluid due to hydrostatic pressure differences.

Edema:

A condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid in bodily tissues, often resulting from imbalances in hydrostatic and osmotic pressures