Viscosity is commonly measured for synovial fluid or semen using a 'string test', in which drops of test fluid are expelled through a syringe needle or pipette and the extent of the trailing string is observed. Synovial fluid is very viscous due to its high concentration of polymerized hyaluronate and will form a trailing string that is a few inches long when exiting a syringe needle. Less viscous fluid may be seen with inflammation and will have a shorter string. Semen is tested in a similar manner; a normal sample leaves the needle or pipette in small drops with very little trailing thread, while a semen sample that is abnormally viscous forms a thread more than 2 cm long. A semen specimen that is more viscous than normal after liquefaction may indicate reduced sperm motility.
status
ACTIVE
Fully-Specified Name
component
Viscosity
property
Visc = Viscosity
time
Pt = Point in time: To identify measures at a point in time. This is a synonym for “spot” or “random” as applied to urine measurements.