Body water

Body water refers to the water content in the human body. It is a vital component of the body, making up a significant percentage of the total body weight. The exact percentage varies based on factors such as age, sex, and overall health.

Composition

Body water is primarily composed of water, but it also contains various solutes, including electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride. These solutes are essential for maintaining the body's overall fluid balance and for ensuring the proper functioning of various physiological processes.

Distribution

Body water is not evenly distributed throughout the body. It is divided into two main compartments: the intracellular fluid (ICF) and the extracellular fluid (ECF). The ICF makes up about two-thirds of the body water, while the ECF makes up the remaining one-third. The ECF is further divided into the interstitial fluid, which surrounds the cells, and the plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood.

Regulation

The body's water balance is tightly regulated by a complex system involving the kidneys, the brain, and various hormones. This system ensures that the body's water content remains relatively constant, despite variations in water intake and loss.

Importance

Body water plays a crucial role in many physiological processes. It serves as a medium for the transport of nutrients and waste products, participates in chemical reactions, helps regulate body temperature, and provides a medium for the transmission of nerve impulses.

Disorders

Disorders of body water balance can lead to serious health problems. These include dehydration, which occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in, and overhydration, which occurs when the body takes in more water than it can excrete. Both conditions can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.

See also

• Water intoxication
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Fluid balance