Figure 2.
Pc is the hydrostatic pressure of the capillaries, Pis is the hydrostatic pressure of the outer endothelial cell crevices of EGL, πp is capillary colloidal osmotic pressure, and πesl is the colloidal osmotic pressure of the outer endothelial cell crevices of EGL. The hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients between the vascular lumen and the interstitial space depend heavily on EG. EG binds to albumin, which reduces hydraulic conductivity, resists degradation and facilitates the transfer of shear stress. When various enzymes are employed to mediate the degradation of EG, the hydraulic permeability increases significantly. This cartoon is not drawn to scale. EG = endothelial glycocalyx.