Inflammation Causes and Processes

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary aim of inflammation in response to injury?

To create new tissues without addressing the cause

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

To fully heal the tissue immediately

To induce pain and prevent movement

Which of the following is NOT a cause of inflammation?

Bacterial infections

Immunodeficiency states

Genetic enhancement (correct)

Mechanical injuries

What distinguishes inflammation from infection?

Inflammation is a protective response to various agents (correct)

Infection causes localized swelling only

Infection is an immune response to injury

Inflammation is characterized by microbial invasion

Which suffix is commonly used in the nomenclature of inflammatory lesions?

itis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a biological agent causing inflammation?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

How is chronic inflammation most generally characterized?

Prolonged and persistent inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a protective physiologic response?

Inflammation only Signup and view all the answers

What can potentially harm the body as a result of inflammation?

Injury to tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe inflammation of the appendix?

Appendicitis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of acute inflammation?

Remove pathogens and repair tissue Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the duration of acute inflammation?

Short-term, lasting several minutes to days Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix is commonly used to denote inflammation in a specific tissue?

-itis Signup and view all the answers

What type of factors could specifically provoke acute inflammation?

Endogenous causes, such as immune responses Signup and view all the answers

What type of leukocyte predominantly emigrates to the site of acute inflammation?

Neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a non-specific factor that can lead to acute inflammation?

Tumor cells Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'exudation' refer to in the context of acute inflammation?

The accumulation of fluid and plasma proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five cardinal signs of acute inflammation?

Loss of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

What causes the redness (rubor) observed in acute inflammation?

Dilation of small blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of increased vascular permeability during acute inflammation?

Increased swelling due to fluid accumulation Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical mediators are known to induce pain during acute inflammation?

Bradykinins, prostaglandins, and serotonin Signup and view all the answers

How does fibrin formation benefit the process of inflammation?

Prevents bacterial spread and enhances phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What role do protective antibodies play in acute inflammation?

They promote microbial destruction by phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the beneficial effects of acute inflammation regarding cell nutrition?

Provision of glucose and oxygen to cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains why acute inflammation might lead to loss of function?

Inflammatory pain and severe swelling Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant harmful effect of acute inflammation?

Tissue necrosis that may incite further inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can lead to chronic inflammation?

Prolonged exposure to nondegradable substances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of chronic inflammation?

Simultaneous tissue destruction and repair Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of chronic inflammation?

Persistent infection from low-toxicity microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT associated with acute inflammation?

Chronic atherosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

How does autoimmune disease contribute to chronic inflammation?

Through inappropriate immune responses leading to tissue damage Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is least likely to cause chronic inflammation?

Transient infections of short duration Signup and view all the answers

What role do phagocytes play in the immune response during inflammation?

They stimulate immune response by presenting antigens Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Students will learn the causes of inflammation
Students will understand the inflammatory process
Students will comprehend the etiopathogenesis of granulomatous inflammations
Students will contrast the differences between acute and chronic inflammation

Introduction

Inflammation is the local response of living mammalian tissue to injury from any agent.
It is a body defense reaction to eliminate or limit the spread of an injurious agent.
Inflammation is a localized response or reaction of living vascularized tissues to endogenous and exogenous stimuli.
The term originates from the Latin "inflammare," meaning "to set on fire."
Inflammation is a physiological response to injury, not a disease.

Causes of Inflammation

Physical agents: mechanical injuries, temperature changes, pressure, radiation injuries
Chemical agents: drugs, toxins,
Biological agents: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites
Immunological disorders: hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency
Genetic/metabolic disorders: gout, diabetes mellitus

Inflammation vs. Infection

Inflammation is a protective response to a variety of agents.
Infection is the invasion of harmful microbes and their toxins.

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation is an immediate and early response to injury.
It has a relatively short duration (minutes to days).
Characterized by exudation of fluids and plasma proteins, and emigration of neutrophils to the site of injury.
The five cardinal signs of acute inflammation are: redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function(functio laesa).
Acute inflammation is aimed at removing the cause, repairing/limiting damage, clearing debris, and interacting with the immune system.
Etiology of acute inflammation includes non-specific (microorganisms, foreign bodies, tissue destruction, chemical/physical/endogenous damage) factors and specific factors (hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune diseases).

Effects of Acute Inflammation

Beneficial effects: dilution of toxins, protective antibodies (promotion of phagocytosis and complement-mediated lysis), fibrin formation, plasma mediators (complement, coagulation, fibrinolytic, and kinin).
Harmful effects: tissue necrosis, swelling in certain areas (potentially causing airway obstruction or increased intracranial pressure), inappropriate response (exaggerated hypersensitivity-related reactions).

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged inflammatory process (weeks or months).
It involves simultaneous active inflammation, tissue destruction, and repair attempts.
Causes of chronic inflammation include persistent infections, prolonged exposure to non-degradable but partially toxic substances (e.g., silica, asbestos), progression from acute inflammation, and autoimmunity.

Nomenclature

Inflammatory lesions are usually named by the suffix "-itis" (e.g., appendicitis, meningitis).
Exceptions to the rule exist (e.g., pneumonia, typhoid fever).

Classification

Inflammation is classified based on duration and histologic appearances into acute and chronic forms.

Cellulitis

An example of acute inflammation characterized by redness and swelling of the tissue.

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Description

This quiz explores the causes of inflammation, the inflammatory process, and the differences between acute and chronic inflammation. Students will gain insight into the etiopathogenesis of granulomatous inflammations and the physiological response of tissues to injury. Test your knowledge on how various agents trigger inflammation and its role in tissue defense.