Author: Glossary
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Osmotoxicity
The adverse effects of highly concentrated fluids on body structures. These effects are often observed when radiological contrast media with a dense concentration of solute are injected into the body during imaging procedures. Patients may experience a sense of warmth, have low or high blood pressures, or suffer adverse effects caused by cell membrane dysfunction,…
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Osmotherapy
Intravenous administration of highly concentrated or hypertonic solutions to increase the serum osmolarity. This therapy is used to treat cerebral edema, among other conditions. The act of introducing a substance into the body through intravenous injection or oral intake to induce dehydration. The objective of this dehydration is to diminish the volume of accumulated fluid…
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Reverse osmosis
A form of water treatment that removes infectious particles and dissolved ions more effectively than other water purification techniques. Water so purified can be used in hemodialysis.
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Osmometer
A device for measuring osmotic pressure either directly or indirectly. It was formerly used to assess the extent of dehydration or blood loss.
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Osmolar
Concerning the osmotic concentration of a solution.
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Plasma osmolality
The osmotic concentration of plasma. Normally the ionic concentration in the plasma is maintained within a narrow range: 275 to 295 mOsm/kg. When plasma osmolality increases above normal, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) [also called vasopressin] is released. ADH prevents loss of water by the kidney and thus decreases plasma osmolality. An increase in plasma osmolality also…
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Fecal osmolality
The concentration of solutes in stool. In health, this is equivalent to the concentration of solutes in plasma.
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Osmium
A metallic element with an atomic mass of 190.2 and the atomic number 76.
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Osmiophobic
Having resistance to the staining material osmium tetroxide.
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Osmicate
To impregnate or stain with osmic acid.