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Created page with "* Cellular swelling is ** The earliest detectable degenerative change. ** The mildest form of cellular degeneration. ** The first stage in injury to a cell. ** Caused by a variet..."
* Cellular swelling is
** The earliest detectable degenerative change.
** The mildest form of cellular degeneration.
** The first stage in injury to a cell.
** Caused by a variety of insults, e.g.
*** Lack of oxygen (anoxia) to a tissue.
*** Toxic influences.
* Is due to the impairment of the integrity of the cell membrane.
* Cellular swelling is characterised by a moderate swelling of the individual cells.
** Due to an influx of water into the cell.

===Gross Appearance===

* Organs diffusely affected with cloudy swelling grossly appear pale.
** This may be partly due to the swollen cells impeding the tissue's blood supply.
* Without cutting into an organ, it may be difficult to appreciate a gross enlargement of it.
** Each individual cell is increased in size, meaning the entire volume of the organ is also increased.
** E.g. on cutting the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] or kidney capsule, the underlying swollen parenchyma bulges outwards, making the cut ends of the capsule retract.
* The degree of gross swelling is not great.
** Could be easily confused with early post-mortem changes in the organ.

===Histological Appearance===

* Individual cells appear somewhat swollen.
* The cytoplasm appears more red in colour in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections.
* The nucleus of the cell remains normal.
* Cellular swelling is best histologically appreciated in the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] and kidney in damage caused by circulating toxins that are not powerful enough to actually kill the cells.

===Significance of Cellular Swelling===

* Cellular swelling is an important stage in degeneration.
** Not commonly observed on its own without more serious changes
*** Not easy to identify at post-mortem unless the examination is performed very soon after the animal's death.
**** Early post-mortem (autolytic) change in dead tissue looks rather similar.
*** Cellular swelling is also reversible.
**** When the toxin is no longer exerting its effect, the tissue returns to normal.
*** Cellular swelling may be a transient stage in the more serious forms of degenerations which follow.


[[Category:Degenerations and Infiltrations]]
Author, Donkey, Bureaucrats, Administrators
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