inflammation keywords Flashcards
Vital Reaction
the body’s immediate response to injury or infection, characterized by changes such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
Acute Inflammation
A rapid and short-lived response to tissue injury or infection, aimed at removing harmful stimuli and initiating the healing process.
Chronic Inflammation
A prolonged and persistent inflammatory response, often lasting weeks, months, or even years, which can lead to tissue damage and dysfunction.
Cardinal Signs of Inflammation
The classic signs of inflammation, including redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function.
Hyperemia
Increased blood flow to an area, leading to redness and warmth, often seen during inflammation.
Humoral Response
The immune response involving the production of antibodies by B cells and the activity of various soluble proteins in the blood.
Cellular Response
The immune response involving the activation and recruitment of immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes, to the site of injury or infection.
Rouleaux Formation
The stacking of red blood cells like coins, which can occur in inflammatory conditions due to changes in blood proteins.
Margination
The process by which white blood cells adhere to the walls of blood vessels and begin to move toward the site of inflammation.
Diapedesis
The passage of white blood cells through the walls of blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues during inflammation.
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
A type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the early stages of inflammation, particularly in combating bacterial infections.
Endothelial Cells
Cells that line the inner surface of blood vessels and play a crucial role in regulating inflammation and immune responses.
Platelets
Small cell fragments in the blood that help with clotting to stop bleeding and also play a role in inflammation.
Histamine
A substance released by mast cells and other immune cells during inflammation, which causes blood vessels to dilate and become more permeable.
Mast Cells
Cells found in connective tissue that release histamine and other inflammatory mediators in response to injury or infection.
Bradykinin
A substance that promotes inflammation, pain, and vasodilation, released during the activation of the kinin system.
Hageman Factor
Also known as factor XII, a protein involved in the coagulation cascade and the activation of the kinin system during inflammation.
Fibrin
A protein formed during blood clotting that helps to stabilize the clot and promote wound healing.
Plasmin
An enzyme that breaks down fibrin and dissolves blood clots, playing a role in the resolution of inflammation.
Chemotaxis
The process by which immune cells are attracted to the site of inflammation by chemical signals.
Complement System
A group of proteins in the blood that enhance the immune response by promoting inflammation, opsonization, and cell lysis.
Classical Pathway
One of the pathways of complement activation, initiated by antigen-antibody complexes.
Alternative Pathway
Another pathway of complement activation, which can be triggered by microbial surfaces.
Lectin Pathway
A pathway of complement activation initiated by the binding of lectins to microbial carbohydrates.
