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Questions and Answers
What is defined as a severe and generalized edema of the body with profound subcutaneous swelling?
What is defined as a severe and generalized edema of the body with profound subcutaneous swelling?
Which condition is characterized by fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity?
Which condition is characterized by fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity?
What primarily pushes fluid out of the capillaries into the interstitial spaces?
What primarily pushes fluid out of the capillaries into the interstitial spaces?
What is a common cause of decreased plasma oncotic pressure?
What is a common cause of decreased plasma oncotic pressure?
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How much is the normal hydrostatic pressure on the arterial side of the capillary bed?
How much is the normal hydrostatic pressure on the arterial side of the capillary bed?
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Which mechanism does NOT contribute to the formation of edema?
Which mechanism does NOT contribute to the formation of edema?
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Which factors are crucial in fluid balance across the capillary wall?
Which factors are crucial in fluid balance across the capillary wall?
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What usually happens to excess fluid in the interstitial spaces of the body?
What usually happens to excess fluid in the interstitial spaces of the body?
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Study Notes
Edema Definition
- Edema is an increase of fluid in interstitial tissue spaces or in body cavities.
- It represents an excessive fluid accumulation.
Types of Edema
- Hydrothorax: Fluid buildup in the pleural cavity.
- Hydropericardium: Excessive fluid in the pericardial sac.
- Hydroperitoneum (Ascites): Fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity.
- Anasarca: Severe, widespread edema throughout the body, resulting in significant subcutaneous swelling.
Edema Formation Mechanism
- Approximately 60% of lean body weight is water.
- Two-thirds of this water is intracellular; the remainder is in the extracellular compartment.
Mechanisms of Edema Formation
- Increased capillary pressure
- Decreased colloid osmotic pressure
- Lymphatic obstruction
- Sodium retention
Factors Affecting Fluid Balance Across Capillary Walls and Interstitial Spaces
- Hydrostatic pressure (HP): Pressure of plasma fluid, pushing fluid out of capillaries into the interstitial spaces. Generally 32mmHg at arterial side and 20mmHg at venous side of capillary bed.
- Plasma oncotic pressure (OP): Pressure of plasma proteins (primarily albumin), drawing fluid back into the capillaries. Normally 25 mmHg in both sides of capillary beds.
Starling Forces
- Capillary hydrostatic pressure (HP) pushes fluid out of the capillaries.
- Capillary oncotic pressure (OP) pulls fluid back into the capillaries.
- Net fluid movement is zero across the capillary bed.
- Excess interstitial fluid is drained by the lymphatic system back into the bloodstream.
Causes of Increased Hydrostatic Pressure (HP)
- Localized: Inflammation, venous obstruction
- Generalized: Right-sided heart failure
Causes of Decreased Oncotic Pressure (OP)
- Decreased plasma protein (albumin) intake
- Decreased protein absorption
- Decreased protein synthesis (e.g., liver cirrhosis)
- Increased protein loss (e.g., nephrotic syndrome, ulcerative colitis, burns)
Edema Classification
-
Pathophysiological Mechanism:
- Transudate (non-inflammatory)
- Exudate (inflammatory)
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Clinical Finding:
- Pitting (cardiac, renal, liver)
- Non-pitting (inflammatory, lymphatic)
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Site:
- Localized (inflammatory, allergic, venous/lymphatic obstruction, pulmonary edema)
- Generalized (cardiac, hepatic, renal)
Exudative Edema
- Usually localized edema caused by increased hydrostatic pressure or increased vascular permeability.
- Characterized by exudation of high protein-containing fluid.
- Specific gravity usually is greater than or equal to 1.020
Transudative Edema
- Systemic or localized edema due to increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased plasma osmotic pressure.
- Characterized by a low protein content in the fluid.
- Specific gravity less than 1.020
Cardiac Edema:
- Left-sided heart failure: Localized pulmonary edema due to increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary veins.
- Right-sided heart failure (RHF): Increased hydrostatic pressure in systemic veins leading to generalized edema due to reduced venous drainage. RHF leads to a gradient of +5 mmHg.
Renal and Hepatic Edema
-
Renal and hepatic diseases: Decreased plasma oncotic pressure.
- Decreased plasma albumin, therefore decreases the amount of fluid returning to the venous circulation.
- Edema, as a result.
- Liver disease (cirrhosis): Blocked blood flow through the portal vein increases hydrostatic pressure and causes peritoneal edema (ascites)
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Description
Test your knowledge on edema with this quiz that covers its definition, various types, and mechanisms of formation. Understand how fluid balance is affected across capillary walls and the factors contributing to edema. Ideal for students studying human anatomy or physiology.
