Intravascular fluid compartment (commonly, "Plasma" in physiology)

The **intravascular compartment** refers to the fluid (mainly plasma) contained within the blood vessels[2][3][7][8]. It is one of the principal body compartments for water distribution, together with the interstitial and intracellular compartments. The intravascular compartment contains plasma—the liquid component of blood—along with suspended blood cells, proteins (such as albumin and globulins), electrolytes, glucose, and gases. This compartment is the main site for blood transport and maintains hydrostatic and osmotic gradients critical for fluid exchange with interstitial and intracellular spaces[2][3][6][7]. Physiologically, its volume and composition are tightly regulated, and therapeutic interventions (such as intravenous fluids) are frequently targeted at expanding or modifying the intravascular volume to manage conditions like shock, dehydration, or fluid imbalance[2][3][7]. In summary, "Intravascular compartment" is not an individual molecular target; it is a physiological concept describing plasma volume inside blood vessels. It cannot be classified as a receptor, protein, enzyme, transporter, or similar entity.

Other names

PlasmaIntravascular space