Final answer:
True, the extracellular and intracellular compartments are the body's major fluid compartments, with the intracellular fluid being within cells and extracellular fluid surrounding them and including plasma, interstitial fluid, and other specialized fluids.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, the body's major fluid compartments are indeed called the extracellular and intracellular fluid compartments. The intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment includes all fluid enclosed in cells by their plasma membranes. Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body.
This ECF is made up of two primary constituents: plasma, the fluid component of the blood, and interstitial fluid (IF), which surrounds all cells that are not blood cells. Additional components of ECF include cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and aqueous humor.
The ECF and ICF are separated by cell membranes, which allow gases, water, and small molecules to diffuse, while larger molecules such as proteins are generally not able to pass through without active transport processes. The human body's average water content is 50-70% of the body weight, with the ICF accounting for about 50%, and the ECF around 20%.