Introductory Clinical Sciences Flashcards
What is the name of the main effector cell in acute inflammation?
Neutrophil Polymorph
Describe the function of neutrophil polymorphs
First on the scene of acute inflammation
- Cytoplasmic granules full of enzymes that kill bacteria
- Release chemicals that attract other inflammatory cells such as macrophages
Describe the role of endothelial cells in inflammation
- Become sticky in areas of inflammation so inflammatory cells adhere to them
- Become porous to allow inflammatory cells to pass into tissues
- Grow into areas of damage to form new capillary vessels
Function of fibroblasts in inflammation
Form collagen in areas of chronic inflammation and repair
Which of the following is an example of acute inflammation?
a. Glandular fever
b. Leprosy
c. Appendicitis
d. Tuberculosis
Appendicitis
(glandular fever is an acute illness, but cells are lymphocytes & macrophages NOT neutrophils)
In which of the following does granulomatous inflammation occur?
a. Crohn’s disease
b. Acute appendicitis
c. Infectious mononucleosis
d. Lobar pneumonia
Crohn’s disease
What is another name for infectious mononucleosis?
Glandular fever
What is the specific name of calcification in diseased (as opposed to normal) tissues?
Dystrophic calcification
Which one of the following is a chronic inflammatory process from its start?
a. Appendicitis
b. Cholecystitis
c. Infectious mononucleosis
d. Lobar pneumonia
Infectious mononucleosis
What is the name of the cells which produce antibodies?
Plasma cells
What 4 questions is the coroner trying to answer?
- Who was the deceased?
- When did they die?
- Where did they die?
- How did they come about their death?
Who performs autopsies?
Doctors:
- Histopathologists
- Forensic pathologists
What is pus made up of?
Dead neutrophils
Why can an abrasion of the skin heal quickly?
Bottom layer of squamous cells is still present
What is the main difference between skin wounds healed by 1st vs 2nd intention?
In 1st intention, the edges are brought together immediately.
When a wound has to be healed by 2nd intention, there has been skin loss so the edges of the wound cannot be brought together straight away.
What cell produces collagen?
Fibroblasts
Where does gliosis occur?
The brain
What is the difference between fibrosis & gliosis?
Gliosis is more delicate
3 points on Virchow’s triangle?
What does Virchow’s triad show?
The 3 factors that can individually or combined contribute to thrombosis
How does aspirin reduce risk of thrombus formation?
Inhibits platelet aggregation
For a similar amount of endothelial cell injury, there won’t be a full thrombus formation
How is atherosclerotic plaque thought to form?
Any endothelial cell damage leads to a small amount of thrombus formation → plaques
Endothelial cells grow over thrombus formation → more endothelial cell damage → another thrombus etc etc
So the vessel becomes occluded more
Give an example of useful apoptosis in development
At some stage in development, we have webbed fingers
The cells in between our fingers must be killed
Define congenital
Present at birth
(doesn’t have to be genetic, can be acquired)
Give an example of a congenital disease & how it occurs
Club foot - thought to be due to a lack of amniotic fluid during development
Define acquired, in terms of disease
Caused by non-genetic environmental factors
Give an example of an acquired, congenital disease
Fetal alcohol syndrome (mother has drunk excess alcohol whilst pregnant)
What is adjuvant therapy?
Therapy given after primary or initial treatment to maximise effectiveness
Name the 3 layers in a normal arterial wall from innermost to outermost
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica adventitia
Main structural differences between arteries & veins
Arteries have:
- smaller, rounder lumen
- thicker elastic layer
- thicker muscle layer
- no valves
Summarise the 5 main stages in the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque.
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Formation of lipid layer or fatty streak within the intima
- Migration of leukocytes and smooth muscle cells into the vessel wall
- Foam cell formation
- Degradation of extracellular matrix
What is a foam cell?
A phagocytic macrophage that has absorbed lipoproteins
What problems can the formation of atherosclerotic plaque cause?
Causes ischaemia as it narrows blood vessels
When the plaque ruptures, a bit may break off and lead to infarction
Modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidaemia
Non-modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis
- Age
- Family history
- Gender
- Ethnicity
Primary preventative measures to take against atherosclerosis
- Stop smoking
- Become more active/weight loss
- Reduce stress levels
- Balanced diet with fewer saturated fats
Secondary preventative measures to take against atherosclerosis
- Control diabetes
- Aspirin
- Statins
- Calcium channel blockers
- Regular checkups
Meaning of the term ‘co-benefits’ in relation to health and climate change. Give an example
The positive effects that a policy or measure aimed at one objective (climate change) might have on other objectives (health)
Increased walking & cycling rather than driving short distances = less fossil fuel emission & increase in activity for our patient.
Which of the following tumour never metastasises:
- malignant melanoma
- small cell carcinoma of the lung
- basal cell carcinoma of skin
- breast cancer
Basal cell carcinoma of skin
What is the name of a malignant tumour of striated muscle?
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Which of the follow tumours does not commonly metastasise to bone
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liposarcoma
Liposarcoma
As well as breast, lung and prostate cancer, name two cancers which commonly metastasise to bone
Renal cell & thyroid cancers
What term describes a cancer that has not invaded through the basement membrane?
Carcinoma in situ
What is the name of a benign tumour of glandular epithelium?
Adenoma
Which one of these tumours does not have a screening programme in the UK: breast, colorectal, cervical, lung?
Lung
Which one of the following is not known to be a carcinogen in humans:
- Hep C virus
- Ionising radiation
- Aromatic amines
- Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus niger (a fungus)
What is the name of a benign tumour of fat cells?
Lipoma
What is the name of a malignant tumour of glandular epithelium
Adenocarcinoma
Which one of the following is not a feature of malignant tumours:
- vascular invasion
- metastasis
- increased cell division
- growth related to overall body growth
Growth related to overall body growth
T or F: a transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a malignant tumour?
True
T or F: a leiomyoma is a benign tumour of smooth muscle?
True
T or F: radon gas is a cause of lung cancer
True
it is a radioactive gas
T or F: asbestos is a human carcinogen
True
T or F: ovarian cancer commonly spreads in the peritoneum
True
Where do all immune cells originate?
The bone marrow
Where do T cells mature?
The thymus
Where is a common place for B & T cells to accumulate?
Lymph nodes
What innate cell is involved in allergic reactions?
Basophils
What innate cell is involved in parasitic infections?
Eosinophils
What are the two types of immune response in humans?
Innate & Acquired
What cell type is described below?
‘These are the most abundant white blood cell in humans and are characterised by the multi-lobed shape of their nucleus’
Neutrophil
Which antigen presenting cell is considered a professional at activating lymphocytes?
Dendritic cell
Which of the following is not a component of innate immune mechanisms?
- Antimicrobial peptides
- Mucosa
- Inflammatory mechanisms
- Antibody production
- Skin
Antibody production