Which condition is characterized by the presence of fluid and swelling in tissues?

The condition characterized by the presence of fluid and swelling in tissues is edema. Edema occurs when there is an imbalance in the pressures within blood vessels and surrounding tissues, leading to excess fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces. This can result from various factors, including inflammation, injury, or underlying health issues affecting blood circulation and fluid regulation.

In contrast, eczema refers to a general term for various inflammatory skin conditions usually associated with dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, but it specifically does not focus on fluid accumulation. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder characterized by rapid skin cell proliferation leading to thick, red, scaly patches on the skin. Dermatitis is a broader term that encompasses inflammation of the skin, which may have varied causes, but does not specifically denote the swelling due to fluid accumulation that defines edema. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing the unique characteristics of each condition, particularly in terms of symptoms and underlying pathology.