The term „surface tension“ is at present used with increasing frequency in the professional literature, in particular in conjunction with problems of the physiology and pathophysiology of lung surfactant. Surface tension of body fluids plays however also an important role in the development of diseases caused by work under conditions of compressed air, in development of gastric ulcers, development of air embolism and other conditions. Recently surface tension is used, being a readily assessed variable, as a diagnostic parameter in diseases associated with its changes. In practice this applies in particular to assessment of the surface tension of the tracheal aspirate within the framework of early diagnosis of the respiratory distress syndrome.

        Key words: surface tension of body fluids - diagnosis - pathophysiology - correlation.