Can somebody explain the hydrostatic pressure in the blood vessels?

  • 0 votes

I don't understand what hydrostatic pressure means and its involvement in the blood vessels. 

Posted Sat 5th January, 2013 @ 14:25 by Jing :)

2 Answers

  • 3 votes

hydrostatic presure is the pressure that builds up against whatever is containing the solution, in this case the blood vessel wall. so in other words, the pressure that is pushing out against the blood vessel walls. fluid exchange is controlled by the blood pressure in the blood vessel, the hydrostatic pressure, and the osmotic pressure of the blood IN the vessel. 

  • as blood enters the vessel the HYDROSTATIC pressure is greater than the osmotic pressure so the fluid can move from the vessel to the body tissue
  • in the middle of the vessel, the HYDROSTATIC AND OSMOTIC pressure are equal so that fluids can pass eqully between the vessel and the body tissues (gas exchange and nutrients exchange happens here too)
  • at the end of the vessel, the HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE is less than the osmotic pressure, meaning that fluid, CO2 and waste can be drawn from the bidy tissue into the vessel.

so after alllllllll that babble, basically the hydrostatic pressure is the pressure pushing out, and the osmotic pressure is the pressure of the blood. Think of it like a hose with the water building up the pressure. the different types of pressure just help the exchange of gasses and nutrients to pass from blood to tissue and back again. Hope some of this makes sense! :) 

Answered Sat 5th January, 2013 @ 14:59 by jess
  • 0 votes

Thanks a lot! I know it a lot better now :) 

Answered Sat 5th January, 2013 @ 16:29 by Jing :)