Tissue fluid

• What is tissue fluid?

  Supplies substances (eg ions) to the tissues
• How is tissue fluid formed?

  • Hydrostatic pressure pushes molecules out of the capillary
  • Protein remains in the blood, creating a water potential gradient between capillary and tissue fluid
  • Water flows back into capillary from tissue fluid
  • More fluid leaves capillary than returns, so tissue fluid can bathe cells
• Where does tissue fluid go if it is not returned to capillaries?

  Lymphatic system