- Dictionary
- Word comparison: hypertonic vs. hypotonic
hypertonic vs. hypotonic
hypertonic vs. hypotonic: ’s the difference?
In the context of muscles, hypertonic describes muscles that have abnormally high tension, while hypotonic describes those that lack normal tone or tension. In chemistry, when comparing two solutions, hypertonic is used to describe the one with the higher osmotic pressure, and hypertonic is used to describe the one with lower osmotic pressure. Remember: hyper- basically means “high,” and hypo- basically means “low.”
adjective
- Physiology. of or relating to hypertonia.
- Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of higher osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared ( hypotonic ). Compare isotonic ( def 1 ).
adjective
- Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.
- Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared ( hypertonic ). Compare isotonic ( def 1 ).