Hypertonic

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  hypertonic \hy`per*ton"ic\, n. [Pref. hyper- + tonic.]
     (Physiology, Biochemistry)
     Having a higher osmotic pressure than a comparison solution;
     -- of an aqueous solution. Increasing the concentration of
     dissolved solids increases the osmotic pressure, and thus the
     tonicity of a solution. Opposite of {hypotonic} and


     contrasting with {isotonic}. [WordNet sense 1]
     [PJC]
  
           A knowledge of the colligative properties of solutions
           . . . is essential for one to understand fully the
           principles involved in rendering intravenous solutions
           isotonic with blood serum, or opthalmic solutions
           isotonic with lachrymal fluid. Solutions thus adjusted
           produce less shock and much less irritation than those
           which are hypotonic or hypertonic, and present-day
           practise recognizes the desirability of making the
           necessary adjustments whenever possible. --Cook &
                                                    Martin
                                                    (Remington's
                                                    Practice of
                                                    Pharmacy,
                                                    Tenth Ed.:
                                                    Mack Publ.,
                                                    Easton Pa.,
                                                    1951)
  
     2. Specifically: Having an osmotic pressure greater than that
        of blood plasma, which is approximately that of a 0.2
        normal solution of sodium chloride. Cells taken from a
        medium of normal physiological osmolality and placed in a
        hypertonic medium will shrink. [WordNet sense 1]
        [PJC]
  
     3. in a state of abnormally high tension; -- of muscle.
        [WordNet sense 2]
  
     Syn: pumped-up.
          [WordNet 1.5]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  hypertonic
       adj 1: (of living tissue) in a state of abnormally high tension;
              "hypertonic muscle tissue" [ant: {hypotonic}]
       2: (of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than a
          comparison solution [ant: {hypotonic}, {isotonic}]