Inflammation Flashcards
What are the physiological hallmarks of acute inflammation?
Localized vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and leukocyte infiltration.
What are neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)?
NETs are structures released by neutrophils composed of chromatin and cytotoxic proteins, involved in trapping and killing pathogens.
Describe the process of wound healing by primary intention.
Healing where wound edges are closely approximated; minimal tissue loss and rapid healing with minimal scarring.
What is the role of fibroblasts in wound healing?
Fibroblasts synthesize collagen and extracellular matrix components essential for wound repair and scar formation.
How does chronic inflammation differ from acute inflammation?
Chronic inflammation persists over weeks to months, characterized by dense lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration.
What is the function of complement component C3b?
C3b acts as an opsonin, enhancing phagocytosis by binding to microorganisms and marking them for destruction.
Describe the clinical manifestations of inflammation.
Local signs include redness, heat, swelling, and pain; systemic effects include fever and elevated acute phase reactants.
Explain the mechanisms of fever.
Fever is triggered by pyrogens, stimulating prostaglandin release in the hypothalamus, raising the body’s temperature set point.
Why is oxygen crucial for wound healing?
Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism, collagen synthesis, and microbial killing during wound healing.
Differentiate between hypertrophic scars and keloid scars.
Hypertrophic scars remain within the boundaries of the wound and regress over time; keloid scars extend beyond the wound edges and are permanent.
What are the stages of normal wound healing?
Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation (granulation tissue formation and epithelialization), and remodeling (maturation).
How does diabetes mellitus affect wound healing?
Diabetes impairs wound healing due to microvascular disease, reduced immune function, and altered collagen synthesis.
What are the physiological changes in aging that affect wound healing?
Decreased perfusion, thinning and less elastic skin, and impaired immune response contribute to delayed wound healing in older adults.
Explain the role of leukotrienes in inflammation.
Leukotrienes cause smooth muscle contraction, increased vascular permeability, and leukocyte chemotaxis during inflammation.
What are the systemic effects of inflammation?
Fever, leukocytosis, and elevated acute phase reactants (e.g., CRP, fibrinogen) are systemic responses to inflammation.
Describe the role of platelets in inflammation.
Platelets promote clot formation, release inflammatory mediators, and contribute to vascular repair during inflammation.
Why does hypoproteinemia prolong inflammation?
Hypoproteinemia impairs fibroblast proliferation and wound healing due to inadequate protein availability for tissue repair.
What are the functions of the kinin system in inflammation?
The kinin system produces bradykinin, which enhances vascular permeability, causes pain, and induces smooth muscle contraction.
How does fibrin deposition affect wound healing?
Excessive fibrin impedes wound healing by forming fibrous adhesions and delaying tissue remodeling.
Describe the role of macrophages in wound healing.
Describe the role of macrophages in wound healing.
Answer: Macrophages phagocytose debris, secrete growth factors, and promote tissue repair and remodeling during wound healing.
What are the functions of histamine in inflammation?
Histamine causes vasodilation, increases vascular permeability, and promotes smooth muscle contraction during inflammation.
How does malnutrition affect wound healing?
Malnutrition delays wound healing due to inadequate nutrient supply needed for cellular metabolism and collagen synthesis.
Explain the process of wound dehiscence.
Wound dehiscence is the separation of wound edges due to inadequate collagen synthesis or excessive strain on sutures.
What are the complications of wound dehiscence?
Risk of infection, delayed healing, and potential need for surgical intervention characterize wound dehiscence.
Describe the process of wound contraction.
Myofibroblasts exert contractile forces on wound edges, reducing wound size during healing; excessive contraction can lead to deformity.
How does obesity increase the risk of wound dehiscence?
Adipose tissue is difficult to suture, increasing tension on wound edges and predisposing to wound dehiscence.
What is the role of leukocytes in inflammation?
Leukocytes (white blood cells) migrate to the site of injury, phagocytose pathogens, and release inflammatory mediators.
Explain the role of cytokines in inflammation.
Cytokines regulate immune responses by activating leukocytes, promoting inflammation, and modulating cell proliferation and differentiation.
What are the functions of prostaglandins in inflammation?
Prostaglandins cause pain, fever, and vasodilation, contributing to inflammation and immune response modulation.
How do environmental factors influence wound healing?
Temperature extremes, humidity, and cleanliness affect microbial growth and wound healing progression.
Describe the phases of wound healing.
Inflammatory phase involves hemostasis and leukocyte infiltration; proliferative phase includes granulation tissue formation; maturation phase remodels collagen.
What are the effects of diabetes on wound healing?
Diabetes impairs wound healing due to microvascular complications, reduced collagen synthesis, and impaired immune response.
Explain the role of macrophages in wound healing.
Macrophages phagocytose debris, release growth factors, and modulate inflammation during wound healing.
How do neutrophils contribute to wound healing?
Neutrophils migrate to the wound site, release cytokines, and form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to kill pathogens.
Describe the role of collagen in wound healing.
Collagen provides structural support, promotes wound closure, and contributes to tissue strength during wound healing.
What is the role of growth factors in wound healing?
Growth factors stimulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix production during wound healing.
Explain the process of angiogenesis in wound healing.
Angiogenesis involves the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, providing oxygen and nutrients to the wound.
How does inflammation affect wound healing?
Controlled inflammation promotes healing by clearing debris and stimulating tissue repair processes; excessive inflammation delays healing.
What are the functions of mast cells in inflammation?
Mast cells release histamine and cytokines, triggering inflammation, vasodilation, and leukocyte recruitment to the site of injury.
Describe the process of phagocytosis in inflammation.
Phagocytosis involves engulfing and digesting pathogens or debris by phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages, during inflammation.
How do systemic factors influence wound healing?
Systemic factors like nutrition, age, and comorbidities affect wound healing by altering immune response, collagen synthesis, and tissue perfusion.
What is the role of nutrition in wound healing?
Adequate nutrition supports cellular metabolism, collagen synthesis, and immune function, promoting optimal wound healing.
Describe the differences between acute and chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation is short-term, characterized by neutrophil infiltration, while chronic inflammation persists, involving lymphocytes and macrophages.
How does fever aid in combating infection?
Fever enhances immune responses, inhibits bacterial growth, and promotes leukocyte activity, aiding in pathogen clearance.
Explain the role of platelets in hemostasis and inflammation.
Platelets form clots to stop bleeding, release inflammatory mediators, and promote wound healing during inflammation.
What are the functions of cytokines in inflammation?
Cytokines regulate immune responses, promote inflammation, and modulate cell proliferation and differentiation during wound healing.
How does oxygen availability influence wound healing?
Adequate oxygen supports cellular metabolism, collagen synthesis, and antimicrobial activity, essential for effective wound healing.
Describe the role of growth factors in wound healing.
Growth factors stimulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix production, promoting tissue repair during wound healing.
What are the complications of impaired wound healing?
Impaired wound healing can lead to infection
Describe the role of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammation.
Nitric oxide is a vasodilator produced by endothelial cells and macrophages during inflammation, enhancing blood flow and facilitating leukocyte migration to the site of injury.
