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In cell biology, extracellular fluid (ECF) denotes all body fluid outside the cells of any multicellular organism. Total body water in healthy adults is about 50–60% (range 45 to 75%) of total body weight; [ 1 ] women and the obese typically have a lower percentage than lean men. [ 2 ]
The human body is approximately 60% water, a percentage which is also known as total body water. The total body water can be divided into two compartments called extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF). The majority of the sodium in the body stays in the extracellular fluid compartment. [20]
Hypovolemia, also known as volume depletion or volume contraction, is a state of abnormally low extracellular fluid in the body. [1] This may be due to either a loss of both salt and water or a decrease in blood volume. [2] [3] Hypovolemia refers to the loss of extracellular fluid and should not be confused with dehydration. [4]
Intracellular fluid refers to water that is contained within the cells. This consists of approximately 40% of the total body water. Fluid inside the cells has high concentrations of potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and proteins. [21] Extracellular fluid consists of all fluid outside of the cells, and it includes blood and interstitial fluid.
Volume contraction of extracellular fluid is directly coupled to and almost proportional to volume contraction of blood plasma, which is termed hypovolemia. [2] [3] Thus, it primarily affects the circulatory system, potentially causing hypovolemic shock.
Hydrostatic extracellular brain edema is typically caused by severe arterial hypertension. [18] A difference in the hydrostatic pressure within the arterial system relative to the endothelial cells allows ultrafiltration of water, ions, and low molecular weight substances (such as glucose, small amino acids) into the brain parenchyma. [18]
In myxedema (and a variety of other rarer conditions) edema is caused by an increased tendency of the tissue to hold water within its extracellular space. In myxedema, this is due to an increase in hydrophilic carbohydrate-rich molecules (perhaps mostly hyaluronin ) deposited in the tissue matrix.
Fluid replacement or fluid resuscitation is the medical practice of replenishing bodily fluid lost through sweating, bleeding, fluid shifts or other pathologic processes. . Fluids can be replaced with oral rehydration therapy (drinking), intravenous therapy, rectally such as with a Murphy drip, or by hypodermoclysis, the direct injection of fluid into the subcutaneous tis