Pathology (Week 2)

Question 1

In terms of innate immunity, what is the function of lactoferrin at the mucosal surface?

Answer 1

This chelates iron (decreases soluble iron) which bacteria need to survive, therefore inhibiting bacterial growth

Question 2

What is the function of pattern recognition receptors?

Answer 2

To recognise molecules in micro-organisms and respond

Question 3

Give 3 functions of the antibodies released into the circulation by B cells

Answer 3

To opsonise pathogens

To activate complement for lysis

To neutralise toxins and pathogen binding sites

Question 4

Briefly describe the mechanisms for type I hypersensitivity

Answer 4

IgE antibody is bound to mast cells which degranulate releasing toxic mediators

Question 5

Briefly describe the mechanisms for type II hypersensitivity

Answer 5

Response occurs due to antibody (usually IgG) binding to antigens directed against human cells

Question 6

Briefly describe the mechanisms for type III hypersensitivity

Answer 6

An immune complex bound to soluble antigen occludes vessels and activates complement

Question 7

In rheumatoid arthritis, which two antibodies interact with the IgG region to form immune complexes?

Answer 7

IgM and IgA

Question 8

Briefly describe how oxidative stress occurs

Answer 8

When free radicals (a natural by-product of respiration) are formed by the pathological absorption of substances like radiation

Question 9

Name three cellular signs of reversible cell injury

Answer 9

Cloudy swelling
Swollen mitochondria
Disrupted microvilli

Question 10

Describe coagulative necrosis

Answer 10

The area is firm with maintained outlines

Question 11

Describe colliquitive necrosis

Answer 11

Tissue becomes liquified and loses outlines

Question 12

Describe caseous necrosis

Answer 12

A combination of coagulative and colliquitive necrosis with a cheese like appearance

Question 13

Which stain turns pink in the presence of protein fibrils in amyloid?

Answer 13

Congo Red

Question 14

Which cells produce AL amyloid?

Answer 14

B-cell neoplasms (for example in multiple myeloma)

Question 15

What is the difference between dystrophic and metastasis calcification?

Answer 15

Dystrophic occurs when calcium is deposited in abnormal tissue with normal serum Ca levels

Metastatic deposition occurs in normal tissues with increased serum Ca

Question 16

Name the three phases of acute inflammation

Answer 16

1. Vascular dilatation
2. Neutrophil activation
3. Endothelial activation

Question 17

Name 5 cell types involved in an inflammatory response

Answer 17

Neutrophils
Macrophages
Plasma cells 
Lymphocytes 
Mast cells

Question 18

Define margination

Answer 18

White blood cells situated peripherally due to stasis of blood

Question 19

Name the 5 clinical signs of inflammation

Answer 19

Redness, swelling, pain, heat, loss of function

Question 20

The infiltration of which three cell types characterises chronic inflammation?

Answer 20

Lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages

Question 21

In granulomatous inflammation, which two cell types are involved?

Answer 21

Epithelioid macrophages and giant cells

Question 22

Why is an arterial thrombosis sometimes referred to as a ‘white thrombus’?

Answer 22

Due to platelets and fibrin accumulating at the site

Question 23

Hyper eosinophilia can be seen in H and E slide for a few days after which cardiac event has occurred?

Answer 23

Myocardial Infarction

Question 24

Which branch of the main lung bronchi is food likely to become lodged in and why?

Answer 24

The right main bronchus because it is straighter than the left

Question 25

Define the term ‘silhouette sign’ in terms of X-ray findings

Answer 25

Structures of differing densities form a contour on X-ray, the loss of which can indicate the position of pathologies

Question 26

What is a hamartoma?

Answer 26

A malformation resulting from faulty growth of an organ

Question 27

What does ‘intussusception’ mean?

Answer 27

The telescoping of one part of the bowel into another

Question 28

What term describes disordered growth in cells which do not fully differentiate but do remain within the BM?

Answer 28

Dysplasia

Question 29

What term is used to define lack of differentiation within a tumour?

Answer 29

Anaplasia

Question 30

Barret’s oesophagus is an example of which type of process (differentiated cells changing from one cell type to another)?

Answer 30

Metaplasia