Inflammation

Question 1

Define Acute Inflammation

Answer 1

Inflammation as a response to trauma, usually within 2 hours.

Question 2

Define Chronic Inflammation

Answer 2

Inflammation as an ongoing response to a long-term medical condition

Question 3

What is the purpose of inflammation?

Answer 3

A protective mechanism designed to rid body of the cause of an injury, and remove damaged tissues and debris

Question 4

What are the benefits of inflammation?

Answer 4

Dilutes toxins
Entry of drugs
Formation of fibrin
Nutrients and Oxygen
Neutrophil Delivery
Stimulation of immune response

Question 5

List the macroscopic features of Acute Inflammation

Answer 5

5 Cardinal Signs: Rubor, Tumor, Calor, Dolor, Functio Laesa

Question 6

List the microscopic features of Acute Inflammation

Answer 6

Massive infiltration of Neutrophils and PMNs
Dilation and Congestion of blood vessels
Exudation of the affected area

Question 7

List the macroscopic features of Chronic Inflammation

Answer 7

Ulceration
Thickening of the wall of hollow organs
Change in tissue texture (Necrosis/Fibrosis)

Question 8

What are the two main types of Chronic Inflammation in microscopic terms?

Answer 8

Granulomatus and Non-Granulomatous

Question 9

List the microscopic features of Granulomatous Chronic Inflammation

Answer 9

Accumulation of macrophages which appear like epithelial cells
Accumulation of Lymphocytes

Question 10

List the microscopic features of Non-Granulomatous Chronic Inflammation

Answer 10

Scattered accumulation of Lymphocytes, Macrophages, and Plasma Cells
Proliferation of Fibroblasts and Blood Vessels

Question 11

What are the outcomes of Acute Inflammation

Answer 11

Damaging stimulus removed - repair

Failure to remove damaging stimulus - chronic inflammation

Question 12

List the outcomes of Chronic Inflammation

Answer 12

Continued chronic inflammation
Change in tissue function (atrophy or metaplasia)
Repair - damaging stimulus removed
Scarring with dysfunction (e.g. cirrhosis in viral hepatitis)
Catastrophe - damaging stimulus increases/tissue healing response weakens, leading to worsening of tissue insult (e.g. perforated gastric ulcer)

Question 13

What are the clinical features of normal acute inflammation?

Answer 13

Patient presents with rapid onset symptoms - 5 cardinal signs (dolor, rubor, calor, tumor, functio laesa), and systemic high grade fever. Possible fluid exudation and Oedema

Question 14

What are the clinical features of normal chronic inflammation?

Answer 14

Patient presents with delayed/insidious onset low grade fever, with weight loss and appetite loss. No cardinal signs, but general malaise, nausea, and anorexia. Possible Lymphoid Hyperplasia

Question 15

What are the two primary ways that inflammation can malfunction?

Answer 15

Excessive or Inadequate Inflammation

Question 16

What are the clinical features of Excessive Inflammation?

Answer 16

Inappropriately triggered (e.g. in arthritis) inflammation response triggered in (e.g.) synovial fluid of joints, causing progressive erosion and destruction of (e.g.) healthy joints
Poorly controlled (e.g. leakage of enzymes out of cells) - destruction of normal tissue alongside injurious tissue

Question 17

What are the clinical features of inadequate inflammation?

Answer 17

Inflammation response is reduced, so damage to tissues is not repaired effectively (e.g. AIDS or HIV)

Question 18

What is inflammation?

Answer 18

A protective mechanism designed to:
1) rid the body of the initial cause of injury
2) remove debris and tissues damaged secondary to the injury
A response, not a disease