Introduction to Clinical Sciences

Question 1

What is Inflammation?

Answer 1

the local physiological response to tissue injury.

Question 2

Why is inflammation beneficial?

Answer 2

It destroys invading microorganisms, and walls off abscess cavities
=> PREVENTION of spread of disease

Question 3

Why is inflammation detrimental?

Answer 3

a) it can cause disease eg. abscesses can cause compression of structures
b) tissue destruction and alteration of function with fibrosis

Question 4

What is ACUTE inflammation?

Answer 4

The initial and often transient series of tissue reactions in response to injury

Question 5

What is CHRONIC inflammation?

Answer 5

The subsequent and often prolonged tissue reaction following the initial response, involving a progressive change in cell types at the site of infection

Question 6

What are the steps of acute inflammation?

Answer 6

1. Initial reaction of tissue to injury
2. Vascular Component - dilation of vessels
3. Exudative Component - vascular leakage of exudate
4. Neutrophil Polymorph Activity
5. Outcome

Question 7

What is the diagnostic feature of acute inflammation?

Answer 7

The presence of neutrophil polymorphs

Question 8

What are the outcomes of acute inflammation?

Answer 8

Resolution,
Suppuration (eg. abscess),
Organisation,
Progression to chronic inflammation

Question 9

Causes of acute inflammation

Answer 9

1. Microbial Infections
2. Hypersensitivity Reaction
3. Physical Agents
4. Chemicals
5. Bacterial Toxins
6. Tissue Necrosis

Question 10

How does a viral infection cause acute inflammation?

Answer 10

It leads to individual cell death by cell multiplication.

Question 11

How do bacteria cause acute inflammation?

Answer 11

They release exotoxins which initiate inflammation

Question 12

Macroscopic Appearances of AI

? Why ?

Answer 12

• Rubor = REDNESS
• Calor = HEAT
• Tumour = SWELLING
• Dolor = PAIN
• Loss of function

Question 13

What are the main cell types in chronic Inflammation?

Answer 13

Lymphocytes
Plasma Cells
Macrophages

Question 14

What are the 4 causes of chronic inflammation?

Answer 14

1. Primary Chronic Inflammation
2. Progression from Acute Inflammation
3. Transplant Rejection
4. Recurrent Cycles of Acute Inflammation

Question 15

What results in primary chronic inflammation?

Answer 15

• resistance of an infective agent to phagocytosis
• endogenous/exogenous material
• some autoimmune diseases
• some diseases of unknown aetiology
• primary granulomatous diseases

Question 16

What results in progression from acute inflammation?

Answer 16

(most commonly from supurative AI)

• non-removal of agent
• organisation of tissue leading to change in cell type
• pus in abscess cavity is unable to drain leading to the formation of a fibrous wall, which forms fibrous scar tissue.
• indigestible material

Question 17

What are macroscopic appearances of chronic inflammation?

Answer 17

• Chronic Ulcers
• Chronic Abscess Cavities
• Thickening of the Walls of Hollow Viscous
• Granulomatous Inflammation
• Fibrosis

Question 18

What are microscopic features of chronic inflammation?

Answer 18

• Cellular infiltrate
• some macrophages becoming multinuclear giant cells
• production of new fibrous tissue
• evidence of continued destruction of tissue at the same time as regeneration and repair
• tissue necrosis