EDEMA

 EDEMA 

Edema is the presence of excess fluid in the body, typically in the extracellular fluid space but sometimes involving the intracellular fluid space also

• Intracellular Edema

• Two conditions lead to intracellular swelling

1. Depression of metabolic systems of the tissues

2. Inadequate nutrient delivery to the cell

• Extracellular Edema

• Much more predominant

• Two general conditions lead to extracellular edema

1. Abnormal leakage of fluid from the plasma through the capillary wall and into the

interstitial space

2. Failure of the lymphatics to return fluid from the interstitium back into the blood

Causes of edema

Edema can occur in tissues adjacent to other volumes - potential spaces that can also collect fluid in

• Pleural cavity
• Pericardial cavity
• Peritoneal cavity
• Synovial cavities

• Potential spaces are “filled” by capillaries and “drained” by lymphatics in a manner similar to other tissues

When edema occurs with fluid collection in a potential space, it is called effusion

cavities