Inflammation and Its Roles

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of the inflammatory response?

To eliminate or limit the spread of the injurious agent (correct)

To cause permanent tissue damage

To isolate the affected tissue from the rest of the body

To promote the spread of the injurious agent

What is the cause of the redness associated with acute inflammation?

Vascular constriction

Accumulation of inflammatory edema

Increased blood flow (correct)

Direct action of chemical mediators on sensory nerve endings

What type of inflammation is characterized by a rapid onset and short duration?

Acute inflammation (correct)

Subacute inflammation

Chronic inflammation

Systemic inflammation

What is the role of the vascular response in acute inflammation?

To deliver leukocytes and mediators to the site of injury Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of the pain associated with acute inflammation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

The duration of the inflammatory response Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of inflammation in the body?

To isolate and eliminate the injurious agent and prepare the affected tissue for repair Signup and view all the answers

What is the diagnosis of the 7-year-old boy with a sore throat, fever, difficulty in swallowing, and swollen tonsils and glands?

Acute inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of local tissue destruction in inflammation?

Injurious agents together with inflammatory mediators Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fibrinogen in inflammatory fluid exudate?

To change into a fibrin network and localize infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increased capillary hydrostatic pressure and permeability in inflammation?

Formation of fluid exudate Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of inflammatory fluid exudate in terms of its protein content?

High protein content (4-8 gm%) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of inflammatory mediators on capillary permeability?

Increase capillary permeability Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of inflammatory fluid exudate in terms of toxins?

To dilute the toxins and minimize their effects on cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of margination in inflammation?

Leucocytes adhere to the inner endothelial wall Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of inflammatory fluid exudate in terms of its appearance?

Turbid and yellowish Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition and Roles of Inflammation

Inflammation is the response of living tissues to an injury, aiming to eliminate or limit the spread of the injurious agent, remove necrotic cells, and prepare the affected tissue for repair.
Roles of inflammation: isolation and elimination of the injury, destruction of invading organisms and inactivation of toxins, and achieving healing and repair.

Causes of Inflammation

Biological causes: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Physical causes: excessive heat or cold, radiation, and electricity.
Chemical causes: acids, alkalis, organic and inorganic compounds.
Mechanical causes: wounds, crushing injuries, fractures, and foreign bodies.

Types of Inflammation

Acute inflammation: rapid onset, short duration, high dose of irritant, and acute inflammatory cells.
Chronic inflammation: gradual onset, long duration, low dose of irritant, and chronic inflammatory cells.
Subacute inflammation: grades in-between acute and chronic inflammation.

Case Study

A 7-year-old boy complains of sore throat, fever, difficulty in swallowing, and swollen tonsils and glands in the neck, indicating inflammation.

Acute Inflammation

Definition: immediate response of living tissue to an injury, aiming to deliver leukocytes and mediators to the site of injury by the bloodstream.
Cardinal signs of acute inflammation: redness, hotness, pain, swelling, and loss of function.

Vascular Response

Transient vasoconstriction: due to direct stimulation of the vascular wall of arterioles.
Vasodilatation: due to local axon reflex and release of vasodilator substances as histamine.
Slowing of blood stream: due to vasodilatation, opening of new capillary buds, increased vascular permeability, and increased blood viscosity.

Local Reactions

Local tissue destruction: maximum at the site of the irritant, depending on its severity.
Dilatation of lymphatics: lymph flow is increased, allowing drainage of excess extravasated fluid back to blood.

Mechanism of Inflammatory Fluid Exudate

Increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure due to increased blood flow.
Increased capillary permeability due to vasodilatation and endothelial injury, and release of histamine.
Increased osmotic pressure of interstitial tissue due to protein breakdown.

Composition and Functions of Inflammatory Fluid Exudate

Composition: high protein content, high specific gravity, and turbid and yellowish due to the presence of leukocytes.
Functions: dilutes toxins, brings fibrinogen, transports antibodies, and helps movement of acute inflammatory cells to the site of the irritant.

Cellular Responses

Exudation of leukocytes: margination due to stasis, adhering to the inner endothelial wall.
Phagocytosis: engulfing and destroying foreign particles and bacteria.

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Description

Learn about the role of inflammation in response to injury, including its causes and functions in isolating and eliminating harmful agents and promoting healing and repair.