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Extracellular Water

Meaning

The fluid component of the body’s total water content that exists outside of the cell membranes, comprising the interstitial fluid, plasma volume, and transcellular fluid. This fluid acts as the immediate environment for all cells, facilitating the transport of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and metabolic waste products between the circulation and the intracellular space. Maintaining the volume and osmolality of extracellular water is a critical aspect of physiological homeostasis and fluid balance.