Interstitium
Interstitium
Interstitium (/ɪntərˈstɪʃəm/; from Latin interstitium, meaning "interstice") is a widespread, fluid-filled space within and between the tissues of the body. It is considered the largest organ in the human body.
Etymology
The term interstitium is derived from Latin, where inter means "between" and stitium means "standing". It refers to the space that exists between structures or within a structure.
Definition
The interstitium is a contiguous fluid-filled space existing between a structural barrier, such as a cell wall or the skin, and internal structures, such as organs, including muscles and the circulatory system. The fluid in these spaces is called interstitial fluid, which is mainly water and serves multiple functions including nutrient transport and waste removal.
Function
The interstitium serves as a shock absorber to protect tissues during daily functions. It also acts as a fluid highway, allowing the transport of nutrients, waste, and other materials between the bloodstream and cells. The interstitium also plays a role in immune response, as it contains lymph, which carries white blood cells.
Related Terms
- Interstitial Fluid: The fluid found in the interstitial spaces of the body.
- Lymph: A clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease.
- Extracellular Matrix: A three-dimensional network of extracellular macromolecules such as collagen, enzymes, and glycoproteins that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Interstitium
- Wikipedia's article - Interstitium
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski