hypotonic

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('pō-tŏn'ĭk) pronunciation
adj.
  1. Pathology. Having less than normal tone or tension, as of muscles or arteries.
  2. Chemistry. Having the lower osmotic pressure of two fluids.
hypotonicity hy'po·to·nic'i·ty (-tə-nĭs'ĭ-tē) n.

A solution more dilute than the body fluids, see isotonic.

1. Applied to an external fluid which causes cells to increase in volume.

2. Applied to sports drinks that have a salt concentration less than that of the body fluids.

3. Applied to conditions below normal tension or tone.

  1. (of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of some given solution, particularly the fluid in or surrounding a given type of cell or a body fluid.
  2. (of a muscle) showing or characterized by diminished tone or tension. Compare hypertonic.
hypotonicity n.

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1. having an abnormally reduced tonicity or tension.
2. having an osmotic pressure lower than that of the solution with which it is compared.

  • h. dehydration — occurs when there is secretory loss of sodium from the intestinal epithelium, e.g. salmonellosis, in osmolar excess of the concurrent fluid loss. See also dehydration.
(hī'pō-ton'ik)
adj

Exhibiting less tension or firmness.

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