Interstitium

The interstitium are fluid-filled space between the cells and tissues in your body. These spaces help support, cushion and connect your cells. Intersitium also plays a role in moving nutrients, fluids and waste between your cells. It keeps your cells and tissues healthy so they can perform important tasks.

Even though you can’t see it (and maybe have never heard of it), it’s a major player in keeping your body balanced and running smoothly. Up until 2018, scientists didn’t know how complex and vast the interstitium was. They now believe it’s an important part in helping your body function.

What does it do?

The interstitium has a few jobs:

• Structural support: It cushions your cells and tissues and helps them stay in place and keep their shape. The fluid helps maintain the environment around the cells so the cells can function.
• Fluid balance: The interstitium is the main storage space for fluid. It allows nutrients, waste and other substances to move between your blood and cells.
• Lymphatic draining: The interstitium is where lymphatic drainage begins. This process filters fluids before returning it back to your blood.
• Communication: It helps your cells send and receive messages. These messages tell your body when to repair tissue, when to send immune cells to an injury and when to grow.
• Wound healing: The interstitium helps healing occur when you have a wound or injury.

What are the parts of the interstitium?

The interstitium is everywhere. It’s part of all of your organs, muscles, tissues, nerves and blood vessels.

It’s a large network of small spaces, fluid and supportive material between your cells, tissues and organs. It’s made up of:

• Interstitial spaces: The spaces can expand, change shape and move depending on the amount of fluid around and inside them.
• Interstitial fluid: This is a clear liquid that fills the interstitial space. The fluid carries nutrients, waste, proteins and electrolytes. It also allows cells and molecules to travel through your body.
• Supportive network: A flexible net of collagen and elastin supports the spaces.

What medical conditions affect the interstitium?

As the interstitium is everywhere, problems with it can show up in almost all areas of your body. Some of the medical conditions that affect the interstitium are:

• Cancer: Cancer cells can travel through interstitial spaces to reach other parts of the body. A buildup of extra fluid can contribute to cancer cells growing.
• Inflammation: The interstitium can change when you have inflammation or swelling in your body. This can lead to it being less effective at its job.
• Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune conditions can damage the interstitium.
• Lymphedema: Fluid buildup in the interstitium can contribute to lymphedema because your lymphatic system can’t clear the fluid.