Acute Inflammation

Question 1

What are the signs of inflammation?

Answer 1

Rubor - redness
Calor - heat
Tumour - swelling
Dolor - pain
Loss of function

Question 2

What are the causes of inflammation?

Answer 2

Micro-organisms
Trauma
Chemical
Physical - extreme conditions (heat, cold, radiation)
Necrosis (dead tissue irritates adjacent tissue)
Hypersensitivity

Question 3

What is the microcirculation?

Answer 3

Capillary beds (arterioles and venules)
Extracellular space including the fluid molecules within it
Lymphatic channels and drainage

Question 4

What is oncotic pressure / colloid osmotic pressure?

Answer 4

Proteins exerted by proteins in the blood vessel plasma

Question 5

What is hydrostatic pressure?

Answer 5

Pressure exerted by a fluid

Question 6

What controls movement of fluid across membranes?

Answer 6

Starling forces

Question 7

What are the three stages of inflammation pathogenesis?

Answer 7

Change in vessel radius
Change in the permeability of the vessel wall
Movement of neutrophils from the vessel to the extravascular space

Question 8

What are the local changes in vessel radius in the Triple response?

Answer 8

Transient arteriolar constriction
Local arteriolar dilation
Relaxation of smooth muscle

Question 9

What does the increased blood flow result in?

Answer 9

Heat - Calor

Redness - Rubor

Question 10

Where does increased permeability occur?

Answer 10

Microvascular bed

Question 11

What is exudation?

Answer 11

The process whereby plasma moves from the capillary to the extracellular space

Question 12

What is exudate?

Answer 12

The fluid that is leaked - rich in plasma proteins (immunoglobulin and fibrinogen)

Question 13

What are the results of exudation?

Answer 13

Oedema is formed - accumulation of fluid in the extravascular space

swelling - pain - reduced function

Question 14

What effect does exudation have on the blood viscosity?

Answer 14

Increased viscosity - rate of blood flow slows down - stasis

Question 15

Describe the structure of the blood flow in inflammation

Answer 15

RBC’s aggregate in the centre of the lumen, neutrophils found near the endothelium

Question 16

What are the phases of emigration of neutrophils?

Answer 16

Margination (Neutrophil moves to endothelial aspect of lumen)
Pavementing - Neutrophils adhere to endothelium
Emigration - Neutrophils squeeze between endothelial cells

Question 17

What happens if there is a resolution of the acute inflammation?

Answer 17

Inciting agent is isolated and destroyed
Macrophages digest debris
Epithelial surfaces regenerate
Inflammatory exudate filters away
Vascular changes return to normal
Inflammation resolves

Question 18

What are the benefits to acute inflammation?

Answer 18

Rapid response to non-specific insult
Protection in inflamed area from cardinal signs
Neutrophils destroy organisms and denature antigen for macrophages

Question 19

Define diapedesis

Answer 19

Movement of blood cells outside the capillary.

Question 20

What are the outcomes of acute inflammation?

Answer 20

Resolution
Suppuration - pus
Organisation - tissue growth
Chronic inflammation