What term describes the pressure created by proteins in plasma that helps draw water into the capillaries?

The term that describes the pressure created by proteins in plasma, which plays a crucial role in drawing water into the capillaries, is oncotic pressure. Oncotic pressure specifically refers to the osmotic pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin, in a blood vessel's plasma. This pressure is vital for maintaining the balance of fluid between the blood vessels and the tissues, helping regulate the movement of water and preventing excessive accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces.

Osmotic pressure, while related, generally refers to the pressure required to prevent the movement of water into a solute concentration and does not specifically focus on the effects of proteins. Hydrostatic pressure is the fluid pressure exerted by the blood against the vessel walls, whereas colloidal pressure often refers to the same phenomenon as oncotic pressure but is not as commonly used in clinical settings. In this context, oncotic pressure is the term that directly addresses the protein-induced mechanism of fluid balance and movement within the capillaries.