What term describes the abnormal accumulation of extracellular fluid in interstitial spaces?

The term referring to the abnormal accumulation of extracellular fluid in interstitial spaces is edema. Edema occurs when there is an imbalance between the forces that regulate fluid movement into and out of the interstitial spaces, which can result from various factors such as increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased osmotic pressure, or increased capillary permeability. This condition leads to swelling in the affected tissues and can be localized or generalized throughout the body, depending on the underlying cause.

In contrast, hydroperfusion relates more to inadequate blood supply rather than fluid accumulation. Inflammation is a broader biological response to harmful stimuli or injury, which may cause swelling as a symptom but does not solely define the fluid accumulation itself. Exudate specifically refers to fluid that has leaked out of blood vessels due to inflammation, characterized by its protein content and cellular material, and is not a general term for fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces. Thus, edema is the most precise term for this specific pathological condition.