Eksudaatsioon

Eksudaatsioon, or exudation, is the process by which fluids seep from vessels or tissues into surrounding spaces, often as a result of injury or inflammation. It is typically driven by increased vascular permeability or osmotic forces and yields an exudate that is rich in proteins, cells, and inflammatory mediators. Eksudaatsioon is commonly discussed in contrast to transudation, a related fluid leakage that is low in protein and arises from hydrostatic or oncotic imbalances rather than tissue injury.

In medical contexts, exudates are classified by their appearance and content: serous (clear, watery), fibrinous (high fibrin content), purulent (pus, rich in neutrophils and bacteria), hemorrhagic (blood-stained). The presence and type of exudate help indicate underlying processes such as infection, ischemia, or malignancy. Analysis of exudate—protein level, cellular composition, culture results—guides diagnosis and treatment. Management targets the underlying cause; procedures may include drainage, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory therapy, or wound care.

Eksudaatsioon also occurs in plants and is called eksudaatsioon in plant physiology contexts. Plants may secrete sap, resins, latex, gums, or other fluids through damaged tissue or specialized structures (laticifers, secretory ducts) as a defense mechanism, to seal wounds, or to transport nutrients. Plant exudates vary in composition, from simple sugars in phloem sap to complex organic compounds such as terpenes or alkaloids in resins.

Terminology spans across biological disciplines, but the core concept remains the same: liquids passively leak from a source into surrounding tissue or spaces as a result of damage or inflammation, providing information about the state of the organism and contributing to defense and healing processes.