Organic Terms Glossary

Eco-System

An ecosystem, a contraction of "ecological" and "system", refers to the collection of biotic and abiotic components and processes. Elements of an ecosystem may include flora, fauna, lower life forms, water and soil. It is a place where nature has created a unique mixture of air, water, soil and a variety of living organisms to interact and support each other. It is the living community of plants and animals of any area together with the non-living components of the environment such as soil, air and water. The living and the non-living interact with each other in such a manner that it results in the flow of energy between them.

Edema

Edema is an observable swelling from fluid accumulation in certain body tissues. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs, where it also is referred to as peripheral edema. The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels. These spaces are known as interstitial spaces or compartments. Most of the body's fluids that are found outside of the cells are normally stored in two spaces; the blood vessels (where the fluids are called the blood volume) and the interstitial spaces (where the fluids are called the interstitial fluid). In various diseases, excess fluid can accumulate in either one or both of these compartments.

Expectorant

Expectorants are drugs that loosen and clear mucus and other matter from the respiratory tract.