bicarbonate

bicarbonate

 [bi-kahr´bon-āt]

any salt containing the HCO₃⁻ anion.

blood bicarbonate (plasma bicarbonate) the bicarbonate of the blood plasma, an important parameter of acid-base balance measured in blood gas analysis.

bicarbonate of soda sodium bicarbonate.

bi·car·bon·ate

(bī-kar'bon-āt),

HCO₃^-; the ion remaining after the first dissociation of carbonic acid; a central buffering agent in blood.

bicarbonate

A salt containing the anion HCO3-, which is the most important buffer in the blood, it is regulated by the kidney, which excretes it in excess and retains it when needed; it increases with ingestion of excess anti-acids, diuretics and steroids; it is decreased with diarrhoea, liver disease, renal disease and chemical poisoning.

Specimen
Bicarbonate is usually measured in serum as total CO2.
 
Ref range
24–26 Meq/L.

bicarbonate

HCO₃ Nephrology A general term for any salt containing the anion HCO₃–, which is the most important buffer in the blood; bicarbonate is regulated by the kidney, which excretes it in excess and retains it when needed; it is ↑ in ingestion of excess antiacids, diuretics, steroids; it is ↓ in diarrhea, liver disease, renal disease, chemical poisoning. See Blood gases.

bi·car·bon·ate

(bī-kahr'bŏn-āt)

The ion remaining after the first dissociation of carbonic acid; a central buffering agent in blood.

bi·car·bon·ate

(bī-kahr'bŏn-āt)

Ion remaining after first dissociation of carbonic acid; central buffering agent in blood.