How is tissue fluid formed and returned to the circulatory system?

At the arterial end of a capillary the blood is under a fairly high pressure. This hydrostatic pressure 'squeezes' a fluid called tissue fluid out of the pores in the walls of the capillary (fenestrations). Tissue fluid is plasma without the larger plasma proteins as they are too large to pass through the fenestrations. The cells surrounding the capillary are bathed in this tissue fluid and necessary materials are exchanged by direct diffusion between the cells and tissue fluid.
As blood moves along capillary the proteins become more concentrated due to loss of water, thus lowering the water potential of the blood. The water in the tissue fluid moves back into the capillary by osmosis due to a water potential gradient between the tissue fluid and the blood. Any remaining tissue fluid is called lymph which is drained into the lymphatic system and is eventually returned to the blood.

BR
Answered by Balkrishna R. Biology tutor

38595 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can you determine what the direction of the shift is in the Bohr effect?


Describe the process by which an action potential is propagated across a cholinergic synapse


Some poisons work by interfering with synaptic transmission at a neuromuscular junction. Describe the events at a synapse which lead to an action potential.


How do negative and positive feedback loops occur and how are they different?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning