Changes

====Significance of fatty change====

====Significance of fatty change====

It is important to remember that fatty change is reversible, provided that the underlying cause

 

is brought under control. It may be difficult to decide whether the fatty change is due to a

* Fatty change is '''reversible''', provided that the underlying cause is brought under control.  

toxic effect or metabolic defect, from the distribution of the fat within the cell.

In the former, fatty change can be considered as a more serious form of cellular swelling and

** From the distribution of fat in a cell, it may be difficult to decide whether the fatty change is due to a toxic or metabolic defect.

you may see evidence of a further change in the cells, which is death of the cell (necrosis).

*** In toxic effects, the fatty change can be considered as a more serious form of cellular swelling.

But if the metabolic defect is prolonged for any period, the impairment of cellular function

**** There may be evidence of necrosis.

occasioned by the substantial amount of cytoplasmic fat, may also result in death of the cell.

*** If a metabolic defect is prolonged, cellular function may be impaired by the substantial amount of fat.

Wallerian Degeneration. This is a special form of fatty change in the nervous system, where

**** Necrosis may also result in this instance.

damage to myelinated nerves results in the degeneration of the myelin that ensheaths them. It

* '''Wallerian Degeneration'''

** A special form of fatty change in the nervous system.

Pathology.

** Damage to myelinated nerves results in the degeneration of the myelin that ensheaths them.  

Extracellular accumulation of lipids

* '''Extracellular accumulation of lipids'''

Lipid may be present outside the cell in some conditions. Necrosis of cells containing lipid

** Necrosis of cells containing lipid may release lipid into the extracellular space.

may release lipid into the extracellular space where they are visible. Cholesterol is released

*** Haemorrhage or tissue damage may result in cholesterol being released from cells or pooled from lipoproteins in crystalline form (cholesterol clefts).

from cells or pooled from lipoproteins in crystalline form( cholesterol clefts )as a result of

haemorrhage or tissue damage.

===Mucoid Degeneration===

===Mucoid Degeneration===