Compartment (pharmacokinetics)

In pharmacokinetics, a compartment is a defined volume of body fluids. It is distinguished from anatomic compartments, which are bounded by fasciae.

Additional recommended knowledge

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Examples

There are five major body compartments^[1]:

blood plasma
interstitial fluid
fat tissue
intracellular fluid
transcellular fluid

The transcellular compartment includes fluids in the pleural cavity or peritoneal cavity.

Comparison table

Compartment	estimated % of body mass^[2]
blood plasma	5
interstitial fluid	16
fat tissue	20
intracellular fluid	35
transcellular fluid	2

References

^ Rang, H. P. (2003). Pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-07145-4. Page 102
^ Unless else specified in table, then ref s: Rang, H. P. (2003). Pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-07145-4. Page 102