Information AboutInflamed |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT INFLAMMATION | |
| immune system | |
| animal physiology | |
| pathology | |
| symptoms | |
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CHARACTERISTICS Inflammation has two main components - Cellular and Exudative . The exudative component involves the movement of fluid, usually containing many important Protein s such as Fibrin and Immunoglobulins ( Antibodies ). Blood Vessel s are dilated upstream of an infection (causing redness and heat) and constricted downstream while Capillary permeability to the affected Tissue is increased, resulting in a net loss of Blood Plasma into the tissue - giving rise to Edema or swelling. The swelling distends the tissues, compresses Nerve endings, and thus causes pain. The cellular component involves the movement of White Blood Cells from blood vessels into the inflamed tissue. The White Blood Cell s, or leukocytes, take on an important role in inflammation; they extravasate (filter out) from the Capillaries into tissue, and act as Phagocyte s, picking up Bacteria and cellular debris. They may also aid by walling off an infection and preventing its spread. If inflammation of the affected site persists, released Cytokines IL-1 and TNF will activate endothelial cells to upregulate receptors VCAM-1 , ICAM-1 , E-selectin, and L-selectin for various immune cells. Receptor upregulation increases extravasation of Neutrophil s, Monocyte s, activated T-helper and T-cytotoxic , and memory T and B Cell s to the infected site. Neutrophil s are characteristic of inflammation in the early stages - they are the first cells to appear in an infected area, and any section of recently inflamed (within a couple of days or so) tissue viewed under a microscope will appear packed with them. They are easily identified by their multilobed nuclei and granular cytoplasm and perform many important functions, including Phagocytosis and the release of Extracellular Chemical Messengers . Neutrophils only live for a couple days in these interstitial areas, so if the inflammation persists for a longer duration then they are gradually replaced by longer lived monocytes. LEUKOCYTES AND CYTOKINES Various s, B Cell s, and Antibodies . These inflammation cells are:
OUTCOMES The outcome in a particular circumstance will be determined by the tissue in which the injury has occurred, and the injurious agent that is causing it. There are four possible results to inflammation:
SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION Sepsis When inflammation overwhelms the whole organism, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is diagnosed. When it is due to infection, the term Sepsis is applied. Vasodilation and organ dysfunction are serious problems that may lead to Septic Shock and death. Low-grade With the discovery of and Atherosclerosis is the subject of intense research. It has little direct bearing on clinical care. INFLAMMATION EXAMPLES Inflammation is usually indicated by adding the suffix " -itis ", as shown below. However, some conditions such as Asthma do not follow this convention.
More examples are available at List Of Types Of Inflammation . |
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