Overview Transudate vs. Exudate Transudate Exudate Cellularity Hypocellular Cellular Protein Poor Rich Specific gravity < 1.012 > 1.020 Cause Alteration of Starling's forces (e.g. ↑ hydrostatic pressure, ↓ oncotic pressure, Na+ retention) Increased vessel permeability (e.g inflammation) and lymphatic obstruction