Final answer:
Hydrostatic pressure in capillaries, exerted by blood pressure, drives fluid out of the capillaries and into the tissues. It is generated by the heart's pumping force and varies across the capillary length to facilitate fluid exchange. The balance between hydrostatic and osmotic pressures regulates body fluid distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the capillaries, hydrostatic pressure (hp) is primarily exerted by blood pressure. This capillary hydrostatic pressure (CHP) is the force driving fluid out of the capillaries and into the tissues. It is generated by the pumping force of the heart and is influenced by factors such as the volume of blood confined within the vessels and the elasticity of the vessel walls.
At the arterial end of the capillary, this hydrostatic pressure is typically higher than the osmotic pressure, resulting in fluid and nutrients being pushed into the surrounding tissue space. However, as the blood travels through the capillary to the venule end, the hydrostatic pressure decreases, aiding in the reabsorption of fluid back into the capillaries due to the predominance of osmotic pressure. The balance between hydrostatic pressure and osmotic pressure is crucial for the regulation of fluid volumes in the body's tissues and blood vessels.