isotonic

(adjective)

When comparing solutions, an isotonic solution has the same osmolarity (ion concentration) as the solution it is being compared to. 

Related Terms

  • concentric
  • eccentric
  • Isometric
  • colloid
  • crystalloid
  • hypovolemic shock
  • plasma
  • electrolyte
  • isometric

(adjective)

A muscular contraction in which the length of the muscle changes.

Related Terms

  • concentric
  • eccentric
  • Isometric
  • colloid
  • crystalloid
  • hypovolemic shock
  • plasma
  • electrolyte
  • isometric

Examples of isotonic in the following topics:

  • Types of Muscle Contractions: Isotonic and Isometric

    • Isotonic contractions maintain constant tension in the muscle as the muscle changes length.
    • Isotonic muscle contractions can be either concentric or eccentric.
    • In contrast to isotonic contractions, isometric contractions generate force without changing the length of the muscle, common in the muscles of the hand and forearm responsible for grip.
    • An isotonic concentric contraction results in the muscle shortening, an isotonic eccentric contraction results in the muscle lengthening.
  • Sodium, Electrolytes, and Fluid Balance

    • There are three types of dehydration: hypotonic or hyponatremic (primarily a loss of electrolytes, sodium in particular), hypertonic or hypernatremic (primarily a loss of water), and isotonic or isonatremic (equal loss of water and electrolytes).
    • In humans, the most common type of dehydration by far is isotonic (isonatraemic) dehydration which effectively equates with hypovolemia; but the distinction of isotonic from hypotonic or hypertonic dehydration may be important when treating people with dehydration.
    • Solutions used for intravenous rehydration must be isotonic or hypotonic.
  • Water Balance Disorders

    • There are three types of dehydration that differ based on the type of change in ion concentrations: hypotonic (primarily a loss of electrolytes, sodium in particular), hypertonic (primarily a loss of water), and isotonic (equal loss of water and electrolytes).
    • Isotonic dehydration will not change plasma osmolarity, but it will reduce overall plasma volume.
    • Isotonic dehydration is the most common type of dehydration.
    • Solutions used for intravenous rehydration must be isotonic or hypotonic.
  • Artificial Blood Substitutes

    • Unlike volume expanders, blood substitutes contain both an oxygen-carrying aspect and an isotonic solution that is compatible with natural blood.
  • Plasma and Blood Volume Expanders

    • Crystalloids: The most commonly used crystalloid fluid is normal saline, a solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% concentration, which is close to the concentration in the blood (isotonic).
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