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→Cellular Swelling
===Cellular Swelling===
===Cellular Swelling===
this is the earliest detectable degenerative changes, and due to
impairment of the integrity of the cell membrane. - this is the mildest form of cellular
degeneration, and was first described about 100 years ago. It is the first stage in injury to a
cell and may be caused by a variety of insults.
Lack of oxygen - anoxia - to a tissue and toxic influences are common causes of cellular
swelling. It is characterised by a moderate swelling of the individual cells, and is caused
by an influx of water into the cell.
The gross appearance of an organ diffusely affected with cloudy swelling is somewhat paler
than normal, perhaps partly due to the swollen cells also encroaching upon the tissue's own
blood vessels. Appreciable gross enlargement of the organ may be difficult to detect without
cutting into it. Because each individual cell is increased in size, the entire volume of the
organ is also increased, so that on cutting into the liver or kidney capsule, the cut ends may
retract somewhat due to the bulging outwards of the underlying swollen parenchyma. The
degree of swelling is not great and could be easily confused with early post-mortem changes
in the organ.
Histologically, the individual cells appear somewhat swollen. In H&E stained sections, the
cytoplasm appears redder in colour. A very important feature is that the nucleus is
normal. It is best appreciated in the liver and kidney in damage caused by circulating toxins
where the toxins are not powerful to actually kill the cells.
Cellular swelling is an important stage in degeneration, but not particularly commonly
observed on its own without more serious changes because it is also not easy to identify
unless the post- mortem examination is performed very soon after the animal's death, as early
post-mortem (autolytic) change in dead tissue looks rather similar.
It is also reversible, that is when the toxin is no longer exerting its effect, the tissue returns to
normal.
It may also be a transient stage in the more serious forms of degenerations which follow.
===Hydropic Degeneration===
===Hydropic Degeneration===
===Cellular Fatty Change===
===Cellular Fatty Change===