Acute Inflammation Flashcards
What is acute inflammation
Response to maintain integrity of organism
Protective changes in living tissue in response to injury
What are some cardinal signs of inflammation
Rubor-redness
tumor-Swelling
Calor-heat
dolor- pain
loss of function
What is the aetiology (causes) of inflammation
micro-organisms
mechanical- trauma
chemical- pH
physical- heat/burn/cold
what is the pathogenesis of acute inflammation
Changes in vessel radius
Changes in vessel wall permeability
Neutrophil movement vessel->extravascular space
What is the effect of increased arteriolar radius?
Increased local tissue blood flow
What is the Triple Response
Transient arteriolar constriction (flush)
Local arteriolar dilation (flare)
Relaxation of vessel smooth muscle (wheal)
What is the effect of increased permeability
Plasma moves from capillaries-> extravascular space
Process called Exudation
Leaks ‘Exudate’
What is exudate
Fluid rich in protein- Plasma
What is the effect of exudation
Oedema formation
What are the phases of neutrophil emigration
Margination:- neutrophils->endothelial lumen
Pavementing:- Neutrophils adhere to endothelium
Emigration:- Neutrophils move to extravascular tissues
What are the benefits of acute inflammation
Rapid response
Cardinal signs + loss of function
Neutrophils destroy organisms & denature antigen
Plasma proteins localise process
How do you know the locations of inflammation
“structure” -itis
E.g Peritoneal cavity -> peritonitis
meninges -> meningitis
What do neutrophils do
Mobile phagocytes
release granule contents
Phagocytose/destroy antigen
What are the roles of plasma proteins in inflammation
Fibronogen- forms fibrin & clots exudate
Immunoglobulins- humoural immune response
What are the different mediators of acute inflammation
Molecules on endothelial cell surface membrane
Molecules released from cells
Molecules in plasma
Molecules inside cells - signalling
What are the collective effects of mediators
Vasodilatation
Increases permeability
Neutrophil adhesion
Chemotaxis
Itch and pain
What are the immediate systemic effects of inflammation
Pyrexia- raised temp
Feel unwell- malaise
Neutrophilia- Raised WBC
What are the long term effects of inflammation
Lymphadenopathy
Weight loss
Anaemia
What are the outcomes of acute inflammation
Suppuration- pus formation
Organisation- Healing and repair
Dissemination- spread to bloodstream
What is granulation tissue
Repair kit for all tissue damage
What does it mean if patient septic
Spread of substance to blood
Eg. Bacteraemia- bacteria in blood
Septicaemia- growth of bacteria in blood
What are the effects of systemic infection
Shock- inability to perfuse tissues
What is the pathogenesis of septic shock
Systemic release of chemical mediators into plasma
Bacterial endotoxin released
Coagulate activation
What is the outcome of septic shock
Fatal
Tissue hypoxia
Haemorrhage
Urgent intervention and support needed
