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What is the difference between sweat and urine?

Published in Body Fluid Differences 1 min read

Sweat and urine are both bodily fluids that help regulate temperature and eliminate waste products. However, they differ significantly in their composition, origin, and function.

  • Origin: Sweat is produced by sweat glands in the skin, while urine is produced by the kidneys.
  • Composition: Sweat primarily consists of water, salt, and a small amount of urea. Urine, on the other hand, contains a much higher concentration of urea, along with other waste products like creatinine and uric acid.
  • Function: Sweat primarily functions in thermoregulation, helping to cool the body down. Urine primarily functions in waste removal and electrolyte balance.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature Sweat Urine
Origin Sweat glands in skin Kidneys
Primary Composition Water, salt, trace urea Water, urea, creatinine, uric acid
Function Thermoregulation Waste removal, electrolyte balance

While both sweat and urine contain waste products, urine has a much higher concentration of urea than sweat.

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