Interstitial Macromolecules and the Swelling Pressure of Loose Connective Tissue

Interstitial (tissue) swelling pressure is an important parameter in the maintenance of homeostasis with respect to fluid balance and exchange between interstitium and blood and lymph. Pressure gradients between blood and interstitium and interstitium and lymph result in a steady state equilibrium which stabilizes tissue volume (largely determined by its water content) and the physicochemical environment in which cells can function normally (Zweifach and Silberberg, 1979; Bert and Pearce, 1984; Michel, 1984).