Starling's hypothesis

Starling's hypothesis

n.

The hypothesis that fluid filtration through capillary membranes is dependent on the balance between the pressure the blood places on the membranes and the osmotic pressure of the membranes.

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Starling's hypothesis, law

the law relating to the passage of fluid out of a capillary depending on the hydrostatic and osmotic pressures of the blood and the same pressures of tissue fluid, the net effect of the opposing pressures determining the direction and rate of flow.