47. Nature of inflammation. Morphological changes and pathophysiology of the inflammatory process. Local and general clinical signs of inflammation. Sources and routes of spread of the inflammatory process.

Inflammation

Written by Rhiana Devadasan

45) Inflammation. Morphological changes. Pathophysiology of the inflammatory process. Local signs and symptoms.

Inflammation = a common pathological process developing in vascularised tissues, associated with cellular damage. It is the sum of the host's non-specific defences to infectious/noxious stimuli, acting as a protective mechanism for the body (by reducing the frequency, neutralising, eliminating & destroying the causative agent, but also resulting in necrotic tissue).

-itis = the clinical denotation /suffix for inflammation.

Purpose

• To bring defence/immune cells to the area affected
• To inactivate & destroy any invaders
• To begin repair in that area

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS

any substance that exceeds the adaptive mechanisms of the body

• Exogenous Factors
• Mechanical (e.g. trauma)
• Physical (e.g. extreme temperature, electricity, UV/sunburn, ionizing radiation)
• Chemical (e.g. acids and bases)
• Biological (e.g. bacteria, viruses, parasites)
• Endogenous Factors
• Metabolic changes
• Accumulation, deposition or secretion of substances where they shouldn't normally accumulate (e.g. uric acid in joints = gout, cholesterol under BV endothelium = atherosclerosis, urea, bile, salts, immune complexes, toxic components)