6.6: Terms and Definitions

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Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

also known as vasopressin, a hormone that increases the volume of water reabsorbed from the collecting tubules of the kidney

Dehydration

state of containing insufficient water in blood and other tissues

Dihydroxyvitamin D

active form of vitamin D required by the intestinal epithelial cells for the absorption of calcium

Diuresis

excess production of urine

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

fluid exterior to cells; includes the interstitial fluid, blood plasma, and fluids found in other reservoirs in the body

Fluid compartment

fluid inside all cells of the body constitutes a compartment system that is largely segregated from other systems

Hydrostatic pressure

pressure exerted by a fluid against a wall, caused by its own weight or pumping force

Hypercalcemia

abnormally increased blood levels of calcium

Hypercapnia

abnormally elevated blood levels of CO₂

Hyperchloremia

higher-than-normal blood chloride levels

Hyperkalemia

higher-than-normal blood potassium levels

Hypernatremia

abnormal increase in blood sodium levels

Hyperphosphatemia

abnormally increased blood phosphate levels

Hypocalcemia

abnormally low blood levels of calcium

Hypocapnia

abnormally low blood levels of CO₂

Hypochloremia

lower-than-normal blood chloride levels

Hypokalemia

abnormally decreased blood levels of potassium

Hyponatremia

lower-than-normal levels of sodium in the blood

Hypophosphatemia

abnormally low blood phosphate levels

Interstitial fluid (IF)

fluid in the small spaces between cells not contained within blood vessels

Intracellular fluid (ICF)

fluid in the cytosol of cells

Metabolic acidosis

condition wherein a deficiency of bicarbonate causes the blood to be overly acidic

Metabolic alkalosis

condition wherein an excess of bicarbonate causes the blood to be overly alkaline

Plasma osmolality

ratio of solutes to a volume of solvent in the plasma; plasma osmolality reflects a person’s state of hydration

Respiratory acidosis

condition wherein an excess of carbonic acid or CO₂ causes the blood to be overly acidic

Respiratory alkalosis

condition wherein a deficiency of carbonic acid/CO₂ levels causes the blood to be overly alkaline