Extracellular fluid

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In some animals, including mammals, the extracellular fluid can be divided into 2 major subcompartments, interstitial fluid and blood plasma. The extracellular fluid can be further divided into 2 minor subcompartments, transcellular fluid and lymph.

Total extracellular fluid composes 1/3 of total body water volume, the other 2/3 being intracellular fluid.

In humans, the normal glucose concentration of extracellular fluid that is regulated by homeostasis is approximately 5 mM.

The pH of extracellular fluid is tightly regulated by buffers around 7.4.

Contents of ECF:

Main Cations: Sodium (140mM) Potassium (4mM) Calcium (2mM)

Main Anions: Chloride (110mM) Hydrogen Carbonate (26mM)

It is poorer in proteins compared to intracellular fluid