What it means
Water moves from fluid with fewer particles toward fluid with more. IV fluids are described by how their osmolarity compares with blood: isotonic (about the same), hypotonic (lower, so water moves into cells) and hypertonic (higher, so water moves out of cells). Osmolarity is measured per liter of fluid; serum osmolalitySEER-um oz-moh-LAL-ih-teeA blood test that measures how concentrated the blood is, by the amount of dissolved particles in it.Full entry is measured per kilogram, but the two are close and often used for each other.
At a glance
| Spanish | osmolaridad |
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Related terms
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.
iso-
A word beginning that means equal or the same.
serum osmolality
A blood test that measures how concentrated the blood is, by the amount of dissolved particles in it.
solute
A substance, such as salt or sugar, that is dissolved in a liquid.