specific gravity
Definition
Specific gravity is a measure of the density of a substance compared to the density of an equal volume of water at a specified temperature. In the context of urine, it indicates the concentration of solutes present.
Analogy
Imagine you have two balloons, one filled with air (representing water) and another filled with sand (representing concentrated urine). If you compare their weight, the sand-filled balloon (like concentrated urine) will be heavier even though they're the same size, showing how specific gravity works by comparing densities.
Related terms
Urine Density: The mass of substances found in urine compared to its volume.
Solutes: Particles dissolved in a liquid, such as salts and proteins in urine.
Hydration Status: An indicator of body fluid balance, which can affect the specific gravity of urine
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