Overview of Inflammation

Question 1

what is the purpose of inflammation?

Answer 1

To destroy/control a harmful stimulus, initiate repair and restore function.

Question 2

Describe the 3 vascular changes that occur in inflammation? (not mediators)

Answer 2

Vascular dilatation: Arterioles dilate increasing blood flow. Stasis of blood flow, fluid moves into tissues causing swelling.

Neutrophil activation: Rolling, adhesion and passing through endothelial cells. Involved in phagocytosis and have bacteriocidal effect.

Endothelial Activation: Increased cell adhesion molecules and leakiness of endothelium. PLasma proteins travel into tissues (e.g. immunoglobulilns, complement and fibrinogen.

Question 3

List some mediators for each vascular change?

Answer 3

Dilatation: Histamine from mast cells, PG’s, NO.

Neutrophil activation: C5a, leukotriene, bacterial products.

Endothelial activation: 5HT, histabine, BK, leukotrienes,

Question 4

List the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation and what causes this sign?

Answer 4

Redness: hyperaemia
Swelling: fluid exudate and hyperaemia
Heat: hyperaemia 
Pain: BK and PG release 
Loss of function: due to redness, swelling, heat and pain.

Question 5

Name 3 types of exudates?

Answer 5

Neutrophillic exudate: pus aggregation
Fibrinous eudate
Serous inflammation

Question 6

When does chronic inflammation occur?

Answer 6

If there is persisting tissue damage and ongoing acute inflammation.

Question 7

What cells can be found in chronic inflammation?

Answer 7

lymphocytes, macrophages and plasma cells.

Question 8

What is granulomatous inflammation?

Answer 8

A type of chronic inflammation defined by the presence of granulomas - which are collections of epithelioid macrophages and multinucleate giant cells.

Question 9

Name the 3 types of granulomas?

Answer 9

Non-necrotising
Necrotising: dead tissue in centre
Foreign body granulomas: response to foreign body in tissue

Question 10

What kind of tissue can be found in healing wounds? What is this?

Answer 10

Granulation tissue: tissue where inflammatory cells and fibrin move in and new blood vessels start to iniltrate.

Question 11

Briefly describe how a bone heals.

Answer 11

A haematoma forms at fracture sire. It is remodelled to a callus. Osteoclasts and blasts remodel to bone over 4-6 weeks.