Osmostat
Osmostat
Osmostat (pronunciation: /ˈɒsmoʊˌstæt/) is a term used in physiology to describe a hypothetical mechanism in the body that regulates its osmolality.
Etymology
The term "osmostat" is derived from the Greek words "osmo", meaning "push", and "stat", meaning "standing". This refers to the osmostat's role in maintaining a stable internal environment in the body.
Function
The osmostat is believed to regulate the body's water balance by controlling the concentration of electrolytes in the body's fluids. It does this by influencing the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which in turn affects the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys. When the osmostat detects a high osmolality (i.e., a high concentration of solutes in the body's fluids), it triggers the release of ADH to increase water reabsorption and decrease osmolality. Conversely, when the osmostat detects a low osmolality, it inhibits the release of ADH to decrease water reabsorption and increase osmolality.
Related Terms
- Osmolality: The concentration of solutes in a solution.
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): A hormone that helps the kidneys manage the amount of water in your body.
- Electrolytes: Minerals in your body that have an electric charge.
- Water balance: The balance of water in the body between intake and output.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Osmostat
- Wikipedia's article - Osmostat
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