The Difference between Osmolality and Osmolarity

The osmolal concentration of a solution is called osmolality when the

concentration is expressed as osmoles perkilogram of water; it is called
osmolarity when it is expressed as osmoles per liter of solution. In dilute
solutions such as the body fluids, these two terms can be used almost
synonymously because the differences are small. the quantitative
differences between osmolarity and osmolality are less than 1 percent. In
most cases, it is easier to express body fluid quantities in liters of fluid rather
than in kilograms of water. Therefore, most of the calculations used clinically
are based on osmolarities rather than osmolalities.
It is important to maintain ECF osmolarity to be the same with ICF
because if its higher or lower it can change cell volume.
If there is a deficit of free H2O in the ECF, the solutes become too
concentrated and ECF osmolarity becomes abnormally high, it is called
hypertonic, the cells will shrink because H2O leaves them.
If there is excess free H2O in the ECF, the solutes become too dilute and ECF
osmolarity becomes abnormally low, it is called hypotonic, the cells will
swell because H2O enters them.
but the same osmolarity called isotonic will not cause changes. It is a normal
state.
The osmolarity of the ECF must therefore be regulated to prevent these
undesirable shifts of H2O out of or into the cell
It is why the amount of water is a major determinant of osmolarity
Control of water
Of the many sources of water input and output, only two can be regulated to
maintain water balance. On the intake side, thirst influences the amount of
fluid ingested; on the output side, the kidneys can adjust how much urine is
formed.
Vasopressin secretion and thirst are largely triggered simultaneously.
The hypothalamic control centers that regulate vasopressin secretion and
thirst act in concert. Vasopressin secretion and thirst are both stimulated by
a free H2O deficit and suppressed by a free H2O excess.
So when the osmolarity increases (too little H2O) and the need for H2O
conservation increases, vasopressin secretion and thirst are both stimulated
As a result, reabsorption of
H2O in the distal and collecting tubules is increased so that urinary output is
reduced and H2O is conserved, while H2O intake is simultaneously
encouraged. These actions restore depleted H2O stores, thus relieving the
hypertonic condition by diluting the solutes to normal concentration.
In contrast, H2O excess, manifested by reduced ECF osmolarity, prompts
increased urinary output (through decreased vasopressin release) and
suppresses thirst, which together reduce the water load in the body.