Abstract
Acid–base physiology deals with the maintenance of normal hydrogen ion concentration (abbreviated as [H+]) in body fluids. The normal [H+] in the extracellular fluid is about 40 nmol/L or 40 nEq/L (range 38–42 nmol/L), which is precisely regulated by an interplay between body buffers, lungs, and kidneys. Since many functions of the cell are dependent on the optimum [H+], it is extremely important to maintain [H+] in blood ~ 40 nmol/L. Any deviation from this [H+] results either in acidemia ([H+] >40 nmol/L) or alkalemia ([H+] <40 nmol/L). This chapter provides an overview of the role of buffers, lungs, and kidneys in regulating [H+] in body fluids. The [H+] in blood is so low that it is not measured routinely. However, the [H+] is measured as pH, which is expressed as:
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Reddi, A.S. (2018). Acid–Base Physiology. In: Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60167-0_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60167-0_26
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