hypertonic

(hī'pər-tŏn'ĭk)

1. Pathology. Having extreme muscular or arterial tension.
2. Chemistry. Having the higher osmotic pressure of two solutions.

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A solution more concentrated than the body fluids; see isotonic.

1. Applied to muscles that are too tight.

2. Applied to a solution that tends to cause the volume of a cell to decrease. Thus, the cell, when immersed in a hypertonic solution, tends to lose water and shrink. The term is applied to high-energy, concentrated drinks that have a higher total salt concentration than body fluids.

1. (of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than that of some given solution, especially that of the fluid in or surrounding a given type of cell or a body fluid.
2. (of a muscle) showing or characterized by excessive tone or tension. Compare hypotonic.

The state or quality of being hypertonic.

Having an osmotic pressure greater than that of the solution with which it is compared.