Exam Inflammation Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the definition of inflammation?
Reaction of vascularised tissues to cell injury or death
Inflammation is a protective response that aims to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out necrotic cells and tissues, and initiate tissue repair.
What are the inflammatory stimuli?
- Infectious
- Physical
- Chemical
These stimuli can trigger the inflammatory response in the body.
What are the aims of inflammation?
- Reduce the effects of an injury or infection
- Remove the damaged tissues
- Generate a new tissue and repair it
The goals of inflammation are crucial for the healing process.
What are the main vascular reactions of acute inflammation?
- Vasodilation
- Increased vascular permeability
- Increased blood flow
These reactions are essential for the delivery of immune cells and nutrients to the site of injury.
What is the role of transient vasoconstriction in inflammation?
It lasts only for a few seconds before vasodilation occurs
This initial response helps to minimize blood loss at the site of injury.
What causes redness (erythema) and warmth in inflammation?
Arteriolar vasodilation
This process increases blood flow to the affected area.
What leads to the formation of exudate during inflammation?
Protein-rich fluid moves into extravascular tissues, increasing osmotic pressure
This results in localized swelling (oedema) at the injury site.
What is the difference between exudate and transudate?
Exudate contains protein and blood cells; transudate is low in protein and contains no blood cells
Both can lead to oedema but have different compositions.
What are the main jobs of leukocytes during inflammation?
- Ingest offending agents
- Kill bacteria
- Eliminate necrotic tissue
These functions are crucial for controlling infection and initiating repair.
What is margination in the context of inflammation?
Accumulation of leukocytes along the vascular endothelial surface
This step is important for leukocyte adhesion and subsequent migration to the site of injury.
What is diapedesis?
Leukocytes migrate through the vessel by squeezing between endothelial cells
This process allows leukocytes to exit the bloodstream and reach the site of inflammation.
What are the two types of mediators of inflammation?
- Produced in situ
- Produced systemically
These mediators can originate locally at the site of inflammation or be synthesized elsewhere in the body.
What are vasoactive amines involved in inflammation?
- Histamine
- Serotonin
These substances are released during inflammation and contribute to increased vascular permeability.
What are eicosanoids?
- Prostaglandins
- Leukotrienes
- Lipoxins
These are derived from arachidonic acid and play significant roles in inflammation.
What is the role of nitric oxide in inflammation?
It is a short-lived, soluble, free radical gas synthesized from L-arginine
Nitric oxide has various functions, including vasodilation and antimicrobial activity.
What is the complement system?
A system of plasma proteins that play important roles in immunity
Complement proteins enhance phagocytosis and can directly kill pathogens.
What is the critical step in the complement activation process?
Activation of C3
C3 activation leads to various immune responses, including vasodilation and phagocytosis.
What are the main features of chronic inflammation?
- Infiltration with mononuclear cells
- Tissue destruction
- Repair involving angiogenesis and fibrosis
Chronic inflammation can persist for weeks to years and results in ongoing tissue damage and repair.
What can cause chronic inflammation?
- Persistent infections
- Autoimmune reactions
- Prolonged exposure to nondegradable materials
These factors can lead to a prolonged inflammatory response.
What are the two major pathways of macrophage activation?
- Classical pathway
- Alternative pathway
Each pathway has distinct roles, with the classical enhancing antimicrobial functions and the alternative focusing on tissue repair.
What are the three subsets of CD4+ helper T cells?
- Th1 cells
- Th2 cells
- Th17 cells
Each subset has specific functions in regulating immune responses.
What characterizes granulomatous inflammation?
Aggregates of activated macrophages forming granulomas
Granulomas are a defensive mechanism to wall off foreign substances.
What are acute-phase reactions?
Systemic effects of inflammation mediated by cytokines
These reactions include fever, increased heart rate, and changes in blood composition.
What is leukocytosis?
An increase in leukocyte count to 15,000 to 20,000 cells/mL
This condition often occurs in response to infection or inflammation.
