Inflammation: Mechanisms and Significance

Inflammation

• Inflammation is a protective immune response to injury or irritants.
• Infection is the invasion of microorganisms causing cell/tissue damage.
• Inflammation and infection frequently occur together, and inflammation can lead to infection.
• "-itis" suffix denotes inflammation (e.g., appendicitis).

Signs of Inflammation

• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain

Inflammatory Mediators

• Histamine, prostaglandins, and kinins cause:
  • Vasodilation (redness, heat)
  • Increased blood flow (redness, heat)
  • White blood cell movement
  • Edema (swelling)
  • Pain

Types of Inflammation

• Local: confined to a specific area.
• Systemic: widespread throughout the body.
• Acute: short-term response.
• Chronic: long-term response; potential tissue damage and disease.

Explore the fundamentals of inflammation, an essential immune response that occurs due to injury or irritants. This quiz covers the signs, inflammatory mediators, and types of inflammation, detailing how they function together and their implications for health. Test your understanding of both the local and systemic responses of inflammation.