Sodium hyaluronate represents a contemporary biomaterial with broad use in different pharmaceutical and medical fields. It is a physiological glycosaminoglycan, which occurs primarily in the extracellular matrix, synovial fluid, cartilage, epidermis and vitreous body. It plays a critical role as a signalling molecule in immunological processes, cell motility and wound healing, and it possesses antioxidant activity. It is used in many fields of medicine if supplementation of hyaluronan is needed or in the cases of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Thanks to its moisturizing, regenerative and protective effects it is used in cosmetics as well.Key words: sodium hyaluronate hyaluronic acid hyaluronan derivatives of sodium hyaluronate dosage forms medicinal use.