Practical 2: Introduction To Cellular Alterations In Disease

Question 1

What phenotypic alterations can take place in disease states?

Answer 1

Enlargement
Shrinkage
Development of accumulations
Proliferation
Death
Unusual structural features

Question 2

Cellular alterations affect what cell types?

Answer 2

Epithelium
Functional cells
Stroma

Question 3

Define hypertrophy

Answer 3

Increase in the size of cell because of extra functional demands e.g. skeletal muscle following exercise

Question 4

Define atrophy

Answer 4

Decrease in cell size due to decreased demand on the cell or tissue

Question 5

Define metaplasia

Answer 5

Alterations in cell morphology due to changes in cell differentiation. This results in a change to another cell type.

Usually associated with trauma or irritation

Question 6

Define dysplasia

Answer 6

Abnormal growth of a tissue or organ, cells present may signify the stage preceding the development of cancer

Question 7

Define inclusions

Answer 7

Inclusions are stored nutrients, secretory products, and pigment granules

e.g. bile, iron, copper, fat

Question 8

What is the normal epithelium of the thyroid
(3)

Answer 8

Layer of simple cuboidal epithelium

C cells that make calcitonin

T3 and T4 produced

Question 9

Write about Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
(6)

Answer 9

Complicated
Autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease
No follicles
Lymphocytes invaded and take over
Hypothyroidism
Gland hypertrophies and follicles atrophy

Question 10

What phenotypic changes take place in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
(2)

Answer 10

The thyroid gland hypertrophies

Colloid follicles atrophy

Question 11

What is a tell tale sign of hypertrophy?

Answer 11

Lymphocytes think their in a lymph node and form germinal centres

Question 12

What is a symptom of hypertrophy?

Answer 12

Goitre -> due to infiltrating lymphocytes

Question 13

Give an example of a disease process where atrophy occurs

Answer 13

Villous atrophy seen in Coeliac Disease

Question 14

Write about coeliac disease
(5)

Answer 14

No villi -> only flat mucosa

Causes limited absorption of nutrients

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune and allergic reaction

Lots of inflammatory cells -> plasma cells and eosinophils

Plasma cells are responsible for the condition

Question 15

Where is hyperplasia seen in coeliac disease?

Answer 15

Crypt hyperplasia in bottom of mucosa

Question 16

Give an example of where metaplasia occurs

Answer 16

Cervix

Question 17

Describe the metaplasia that occurs in the cervix
(6)

Answer 17

Change in epithelium from stratified squamous epithelium to glandular, columnar epithelium

This is caused by infection and trauma

Glandular epithelial change in order to protect area from infection or trauma

Could become cancerous

Apoptotic bodies will be seen

Takes a long time for this change

Question 18

Give another location other than the cervix where metaplasia might occur

Answer 18

Barrett’s Oesophagus

Question 19

What is the normal epithelium of the oesophagus?

Answer 19

Normal stratified squamous

Question 20

What metaplasia occurs in Barrett’s oesophagus

Answer 20

Stratified squamous to stratified glandular

Question 21

Write about Barrett’s oesophagus
(6)

Answer 21

Caused by excessive acid e.g. reflux
It is reversible
Often happens in pregnancy but goes away after
Chronic heartburn
Can become cancerous -> usually removed
Can lead to dysplasia
People can be screened for this using PAS (mucin)

Question 22

Give a common site for hyperplasia

Answer 22

Colon- polyp

Question 23

Write about a colon polyp
(6)

Answer 23

Polyps tend to grow up and out

Normally mucosa is flat in colon

Hyperplasia leads to dysplasia which can be precancerous

Distinct colour difference in diseased (more blue due to more nuclear material)

Dysplasia may often occur as well -> very

Multiple polyps near each other is dangerous

Question 24

What stain is used for iron deposits?

Answer 24

Perl’s Prussian Blue

Question 25

What stain is used for bile deposits

Answer 25

Fouchet’s stain

Question 26

What might cause iron deposits

Answer 26

Haemochromatosis

Question 27

What might cause copper deposits

Answer 27

Wilson’s disease

Question 28

How does bile appear with Fourchet’s stain

Answer 28

Green (biliverdin)