Physiology
ANAEsThEsiA AND iNTENsiVE CARE MEDiCiNE 10:6 279 © 2009 Elsevier ltd.
All rights reserved.
Regulation of fluid and
electrolyte balance
Jonathan D louden
Abstract
The three fluid compartments of the body are interdependent.
Their homeostasis...
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Physiology
ANAEsThEsiA AND iNTENsiVE CARE MEDiCiNE 10:6 279 © 2009 Elsevier ltd.
All rights reserved.
Regulation of fluid and
electrolyte balance
Jonathan D louden
Abstract
The three fluid compartments of the body are interdependent.
Their homeostasis relies on systems that regulate water balance and, as the principal extracellular solute, sodium balance.
Maintenance of plasma volume
is essential for adequate tissue perfusion.
Regulation of plasma osmolality, which is determined primarily by the serum sodium concentration, is
essential for the preservation of normal cell volume and function.
The
importance of osmoregulation is best illustrated by the consequences of
a rapid fall or rise in serum osmolality, which can cause permanent neurological damage and death through shrinkage or swelling of cells.
it is
tempting to attribute control of plasma sodium concentration to sodium
balance, but there is no direct relationship between plasma sodium and
renal sodium excretion.
osmolal
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