Inflammation Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the process of exudation?

Decreased blood flow to the area

Clotting of fluid

Increased capillary permeability (correct)

Vasodilation

What process describes leukocytes actively migrating out of blood vessels?

Margination

Chemotaxis

Stasis

Diapedesis (correct)

What role do leukocytes play during inflammation?

Release hormones for healing

Eliminate injurious stimuli (correct)

Cause blood vessel constriction

Increase blood flow

What is the function of the lymphatic system in the context of inflammation?

Drain exudate from the interstitium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for inflammation of the lymphatic vessels?

Lymphangitis Signup and view all the answers

Which mediator is synthesized and stored in mast cells?

Histamine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the effect of histamine?

Increased vascular permeability Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during chemotaxis in the inflammatory process?

Leukocytes are attracted to chemotactic agents Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for erythema and heat during inflammation?

Vasodilation and increased blood flow Signup and view all the answers

Which component is primarily associated with chronic inflammation?

Plasma cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes exudate?

High protein fluid with high cellular content Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is most likely to cause acute inflammation?

Tissue necrosis Signup and view all the answers

What role does angiogenesis play in chronic inflammation?

Facilitates granulation tissue formation Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes granulomatous inflammation?

Aggregates of macrophages and lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to pain in inflammation?

Increased blood flow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes transudate?

Low protein fluid with minimal cellular content Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Signs of Inflammation

Erythema (redness) results from vasodilation and increased blood flow.
Heat is also caused by vasodilation and increased blood flow.
Edema occurs due to increased vascular permeability and hydrostatic pressure, leading to fluid filtration into interstitial spaces.
Pain can originate from direct trauma, pressure from edema, swelling of nerve endings, and chemical mediators.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation mainly involves edema (fluid and plasma proteins) and neutrophilic migration.
Chronic inflammation includes infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages, promoting endothelial cell and fibroblast growth leading to granulation tissue.
Chronic inflammation features angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), fibrosis (scarring), and tissue destruction.

Examples of Inflammation

Common causes of acute inflammation include infections, tissue necrosis, foreign bodies, and immune reactions.
Chronic inflammation may arise from extensive necrosis, areas with impossible tissue regeneration (e.g., heart, CNS, PNS), persistent injurious agents, or repeated episodes of acute inflammation.

Granulomatous Inflammation

Characterized by aggregates of macrophages and lymphocytes.

Types of Fluids in Inflammation

Exudate is a high protein fluid with abundant cellular content due to increased vascular permeability.
Transudate is low in protein and cells, resulting from normal Starling’s forces without increased permeability.
Effusion refers to fluid leakage into an anatomic or potential space, which can either be exudate or transudate.

Vascular Alterations in Inflammation

Inflammation goals include enhancing the movement of plasma proteins and cells to the injury site, termed “exudation.”
Increased capillary permeability leads to fluid and protein leakage; vasodilation initially increases blood flow.
Following fluid leakage, blood flow decreases, increasing blood viscosity and potentially leading to clotting from raised fibrinogen levels.
Leukocyte migration and accumulation are essential for pathogen elimination.

Role of Leukocytes in Inflammation

Leukocytes work to remove harmful stimuli, release substances to degrade pathogens, perform phagocytosis, and release growth factors for healing.
Stasis occurs when blood flow slows and vessels engorge.
Margination describes leukocytes accumulating along endothelial cells due to adhesion molecule interaction.
Diapedesis is the process where leukocytes migrate from blood vessels into the interstitial space by squeezing through endothelial cells.
Chemotaxis involves chemokines attracting leukocytes to the injury site.

Lymphatic System in Inflammation

Lymphatic vessels drain exudate from tissues, reducing edema and removing inflammatory stimuli and leukocytes.
Phagocytes present antigens in lymph nodes, leading to proliferation of B and T cells, which can cause lymphadenopathy (enlargement of lymph nodes).

Lymphangitis

Inflammation of lymphatic vessels, often presenting as red streaks on the skin and painful upon palpation.

Key Inflammatory Mediators

Histamine is stored in granules within mast cells, basophils, and platelets, promoting endothelial contraction, increased vascular permeability, exudation, vasodilation, and bronchoconstriction.

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Description

This study guide covers the key concepts of inflammation, focusing on the four signs: erythema, heat, edema, and pain. Each sign is related to the events that precipitate it, detailing the physiological processes involved. Perfect for students looking to consolidate their understanding of inflammatory responses.