Introduction to clinical sciences Flashcards
What is the definition of acute inflammation?
the initial and often transient series of tissue reactions to injury
What is the definition of chronic inflammation?
the subsequent and often prolonged tissue reactions following the initial response
What are the principal causes of acute inflammation? (5)
- Microbial infections
- hypersensitivity reactions
- physical agents (trauma, heat, cold)
- chemicals (acid, alkali)
- tissue necrosis
What is a hypersensitive reaction?
An inappropriate or excessive immune reaction which damages tissues
What are the four key macroscopic appearances of acute inflammation?
Rubor, calor tumor and dolor. Redness, heat, swelling and pain
Why does the skin turn red in acute inflammation?
Dilation of small blood vessels near to the area
Why does the inflamed area become warmer?
Dilation of blood vessels in the area which delivers warm blood to the area
Why does the inflamed area swell?
Due to the oedema
Why does the inflamed area hurt?
Oedema stretches the overlying skin and the pus under pressure in the abscess cavity. Some chemical mediators such as bradykinin, prostaglandins and serotonin induce pain
Why is there loss of movement in the inflamed area?
Pain consciously and reflexively reduces movement. Swelling may immobilise tissue
What is essential for the histological diagnosis of acute inflammation?
The presence of the neutrophil polymorph
What are the three processes involved in acute inflammation?
Changes in vessel calibre and flow
Increased vascular permeability
The formation of a fluid exudate and emigration of neutrophil polymorphs into the extravascular space
What is the triple response to injury as described by Lewis in 1927?
Flush, flare, wheal
What are the proteins in the exudate?
immunoglobulins, coagulation factors and fibrinogen
What are the 5 things that endogenous chemical mediators cause?
- vasodilation
- emigration of neutrophils
- chemotaxis
- increased vascular permeability
5, itching and pain
Which type of vessel clears the oedema when acute inflammation is reaching an end?
The lymphatics
What are the 6 beneficial effects of acute inflammation?
- Dilution of toxins
- Entry of antibodies
- Transport of drugs such as antibiotics
- Fibrin formation to trap microorganisms
- Delivery of nutrients and oxygen
- Stimulation of the immune response
What is the life span of a neutrophil?
1-3 days
What are macrophages derived from?
Blood monocytes
What are the 3 harmful effects of acute inflammation?
- Digestion of normal tissue
- Swelling
- The inflammatory response can be inappropriate
What are the 4 conditions that favour resolution of acute inflammation?
- Minimal cell death and tissue damage
- Occurrence in an organ or tissue that has regenerative properties
- Rapid destruction of the casual agent
- Rapid removal of fluid and debris by good local vascular drainage
What is suppuration?
The formation of pus
What makes up pus?
Living, dying and dead neutrophils, bacteria, cellular debris, globules of lipid.
What are the 6 primary causes of chronic inflammation?
- Infective agent is resistant to phagocytosis and the intracellular killing
- Endogenous materials
- Exogenous materials (asbestos)
- Some autoimmune diseases
- Specific diseases e.g. ulcerative colitis
- Primary granulomatous disease
What type of inflammation do foreign bodies provoke?
Granulomatous inflammation it’s a type of chronic inflammation.
What is the definition of inflammation?
A reaction to injury or infection involving cells such as neutrophils and macrophages
Which type of cell is first on the scene in the case of acute inflammation?
Neutrophil polymorphs
Which type of cell produces antibodies?
Lymphocytes
Which type of cell produces collagen?
Fibroblasts
What are the 4 drugs frequently used to treat inflammation?
Aspirin, ibuprofen, steroid creams, corticosteroids.
Where are stem cells found in the skin?
The basal layer
What is granulation tissue?
Capillary loops and myofibroblasts
What causes wound contraction?
The contraction of myofibroblasts in the granulation tissue
What is a thrombus?
a solid mass of blood constituents formed within the vascular system in life
What is Virchow’s triad?
Abnormalities of the vessel wall; abnormalities of the blood flow; abnormalities of the blood constituents
What is an embolism?
Mass of material in the vascular system that is able to become lodged within the system and block it
What is infarction?
The ischaemic death of tissue within the living body
What is the difference between resolution and repair?
If a tissue is resolved it is now undamaged or has regenerated. If a tissue has repaired then it is still damaged.
When can a wound heal by 1st intention?
When the edges can be brought edge to edge
What is the gap in a 1st intention wound filled with?
Firstly blood and fibrin (scab). Fibroblasts then come in and fill it with collagen
When does a wound heal by 2nd intention?
When there is a chunk of tissue missing, the edges cannot be brought together.
What fills a second intention wound during repair?
Firstly granulation tissue (capillary loops and myofibroblasts) and then epithelium grows in from the perimeter of the wound. Collagen fills a large part of the wound, making the scar.
What is the definition of repair?
Replacement of damaged tissue by fibrous tissue.
What is fibrosis of neural tissue called?
Gliosis
Which types of cells cannot regenerate?
Brain, heart and spinal cells
Which types of cells can regenerate? (6)
Hepatocytes, blood cells, pneumocytes, skin epithelium, gut epithelium and osteocytes.
What does fibrin travel as in the blood and why?
Fibrinogen. It is inactive so prevents random clotting.
What is the definition of a thrombus?
A solid mass of blood constituents formed within a vascular system during life
How does an ECG suggest an MI?
ST elevation
What are the three components of Virchow’s triad?
Change in vessel wall, change in blood constituents, change in blood flow.
How does smoking increase the risk of thrombosis?
Cigarette smoke kills endothelial cells causing a change in the vessel wall and exposing collagen. Ingesting CO increases the production of RBCs therefore increasing BP- change in blood constituents.
How do you prevent thrombosis?
Low dose aspirin. It prevents platelet aggregation.
What is an embolus?
A mass of material in the vascular system which is able to become lodged and block it
How do you prevent an embolus?
Low dose heparin and elastic stockings
What is end artery supply?
When only one artery supplies an organ.
What are the main chemical carcinogens?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, azo dyes, alkylating agents.
Which tumour is commonly associated with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?
Lung and skin cancer
Which tumour is commonly associated with exposure to aromatic amines?
Bladder cancer
Which tumours are often associated with nitrosamines?
Gut cancers
Which tumours are often associated with azo dyes?
Bladder and liver cancer
Which tumour is often associated with alkylating agents?
Leukaemia
Which virus is thought to cause some carcinomas of the cervix?
HPV (human papillomavirus)