inflammation Flashcards
what is inflammation?
a response to tissue damage by a wide range of stimuli
reason for inflammation?
a protective response that aims to remove the cause, initiate repair, and reinstate useful function. it is essential for wound healing.
triggers for inflammation?
foreign bodies, infection, ischaemia / infarction, physical and chemical injury, immune reactions
cells involved in inflammation?
plasma fluid and proteins, circulating cells, blood vessels, constituents of connective tissue
two main components of inflammation?
vascular reaction and cellular reaction
which cells arrive at site of injury first?
neutrophils within an hour, mononuclear cells approx. 24 hours later
3 steps to phagocytosis?
recognition of microorganisms, engulfment, killing and degradation
cardinal signs of inflammation?
redness (rubour), heat (calor), swelling (tumour), pain and loss of function
general signs and symptoms of inflammation?
fever, increased PR and BP, increased WCC, raised CPR, accelerated release of bone marrow cells, anorexia, malaise, weight loss, sepsis
describe acute inflammation
rapid response, short lived, neutrophils predominate
describe chronic inflammation?
prolonged, lymphocytes and macrophages predominate, involves tissue destruction
causes of acute inflammation?
infarction, bacterial infection, trauma, burns
causes of chronic inflammation?
virus and autoimmune disease
Drugs used to treat inflammation
NSAIDs, anti-histamines, steroids
what is defective inflammation?
no inflammatory response, increased susceptibility to infection and delayed healing of wounds
