BODY FLUID
COMPARTMENTS
Presentation by
Abinandhana [Link]
Water and Electrolytes
• Water is an essential component of our body. The major portion of
our body is composed of water. The total body water (TBW) is
around 60% of the body weight, i.e., 42 L in a 70-kg adult male. The
total body water is about 10% less in a normal adult female as
compared to a male. This is due to relatively greater amounts of
fat tissue in females. TBW decreases with age.
• Electrolytes constitute about 7% of the total body weight. They are
distributed widely in different body fluid compartments.
BODY FLUIDS
• Body fluids are divided into two compartments:
• 1. Intracellular fluid (ICF)
• 2. Extracellular fluid (ECF)
BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS
INTRACELLULAR FLUID
• Intracellular fluid is the total amount of fluid present inside the 75
trillion cells of our body. Although the fluid is distributed among
the 75 trillion cells of our body, it is considered one single unit
because the composition of fluid in all these cells is similar. The
ICF compartment comprises about 40% of the body weight.
• The normal volume of ICF is 28 L.
• Constituents: ICF contains large numbers of potassium,
phosphate, magnesium, and sulfate ions. It contains a small
number of sodium and chloride ions and almost no calcium ions.
It also contains large amounts of protein
EXTRACELLULAR FLUID
• Extracellular fluid (ECF) is the fluid present outside the cells. It
constitutes about 20% of the body weight. The normal volume of
ECF is 14 L.
• It has two parts: (i) interstitial fluid (11 L) and (ii) plasma (3L).
Interstitial fluid
Interstitial fluid surrounds the cells. It is found in the spaces
between cells. It is similar to plasma except that it has very little
protein. Interstitial fluid is an ultrafiltrate of plasma.
Plasma
Plasma is the noncellular part of blood. It forms 25% of the ECF.
Plasma communicates continuously with interstitial fluid through
the pores of capillaries resulting in exchange of water, ions, and
small solutes. Therefore, plasma and interstitial fluid have almost
similar composition.
• Constituents: ECF contains large amounts of sodium and chloride
ions, and moderate amounts of bicarbonate ions. Potassium,
calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions are present in very
minute quantities.
TRANSCELLULAR FLUID
• Transcellular fluid is a special type of ECF. It includes synovial,
peritoneal, pericardial, intraocular, and cerebrospinal fluid.
• In total, the transcellular fluid constitutes 1-2 L.
WATER MOVEMENT MECHANISM (Transport)
[Link] (major factor) : Movement of water from low Solute
concentration to a high solute concentration through a semi
permeable membrane.
-water moves across cell membranes between ICF and ECF) to
maintain osmotic equilibrium.
[Link] Pressure: Pressure exerted by fluid against vessel
walls, pushing fluid out of Capillaries.
- Cause movement between plasma and interstitial fluid through
Capillaries.
WATER BALANCE
Water Balance maintenance is the equal water intake and water
output in the body. When intake equals Output, the body is said to
be in a state of Homeo-Stasis.
Regulation – It is mainly regulated by the Brain & Kidneys.
Thirst mechanism.
It is Controlled by Hypothalamus and Triggered by Dehydration and
Increased osmolarity. When the body needs water, we feel thirsty
and drink fluids.
Hormonal regulation.
Anti-Diuretic Hormone. (ADH) is released from Posterior pituitary
which increases the water reabso-rption in kidney thereby reduces
the urine output.
Applied Physiology.
• Edema-It is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial
space of the body.
• It is externally in the form of swelling or puffiness.
• It occurs when blood vessels become leaky and fluid moves to the
tissues.
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