Acute inflammation

Question 1

What are the causes of acute inflammation

Answer 1

• Infection
• Allergy
• Physical - foreign body
• Chemical - strong acid

Question 1

What is the vascular phase of acute inflammation

Answer 1

Small vessels dilate, vascular endothelium cells contract thus making spaces between them

Question 2

What is the exudative phase of AI

Answer 2

Fluid and protein leaking through capillary walls, cells through venules

Question 3

What is transudate

Answer 3

Passive outflow of fluid when balance of osmotic and hydrostatic pressure change - mostly water and ions

Question 4

What does tissue damage activate

Answer 4

Resting macrophages to produce:
- Chemokines and IL-1 which stimulate adhesion molecules on endothelium and white cells
- TNF which stimulates vascular permeability

Question 5

What is an abscess

Answer 5

Pus enclosed by fibrin and connective tissue

Question 6

What is pus

Answer 6

Inflammatory exudate rich in neutrophils, organisms and dead tissue

Question 7

What is empyema

Answer 7

Pus enclosed in an existing body cavity

Question 8

What are the sub types of acute inflammation

Answer 8

• Serous
• Membranous
• Suppurative
• Haemorrhagic
• Fibrinous
• Catarrhal

Question 9

What are the beneficial effects of acute inflammation

Answer 9

• Dilution of toxins
• Effector cells and antibodies get to the area
• Fibrin helps to “wall-off” further spread of infection
• Antigens get carried to local and regional lymph nodes - prevents systemic spread and allows antibodies to be made

Question 10

What are the harmful effects of acute inflammation

Answer 10

• Destruction of normal tissues
• Swelling within a confined space

Question 11

What causes fever

Answer 11

Monocyte/macrophage derived TNF and IL-1 cause re-setting of temp control at hypothalamus