Paracellular pathways across "leaky" epithelia are the major route for transepithelial ionic diffusion. The permselective properties of these pathways suggest that they offer a watery environment through which ions diffuse in their hydrated forms. There is also suggestive evidence that, at least in some tissues, paracellular pathways provide a significant route for transepithelial water flow in response to an osmotic pressure difference; however, this has not as yet been definitively established. The effect of junctional complexes that are permeable to ions and water on the predictions of the standing-osmotic gradient model for isotonic water absorption is considered.