Material, such as fluid, cells or cellular debris, which has escaped from blood vessels and has been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces, usually as a result of inflammation.
An exudate, in contrast to a transudate, is characterised by a high content of protein, cells or solid materials derived from cells.
Compare: transudate.
Origin: L. Exsudare = to sweat out
(27 Jun 1999)