Difference between revisions of "Category:Acute Inflammation"

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*** A local connective tissue response attempting to wall off the purulent irritant from nearby normal tissue.
 
*** A local connective tissue response attempting to wall off the purulent irritant from nearby normal tissue.
  
===Functions of Exudate===
 
 
# Dilutes the toxic agent, reducing its effect upon the tissue cells.
 
# The protein components may contain antibodies which attack or coat (opsonise) the irritant.
 
#* This makes the irritant more digestible to neutrophils and macrophages.
 
# Exudates may contain fibrin.
 
#* This is very sticky -  immobilises the irritant.
 
#* Provides a framework over which the leukocytes crawl to reach the irritant.
 
#* Fibrin is also chemotactic to neutrophils, bringing more of these cells into the injured area.
 
# Exudate on a suface will wash away the irritant.
 
#* E.g the skin and alimentary track.
 
# Brings the irritant to the lymph nodes, via the lymphatics, for further processing or antigen presentation.
 
#* Preferably within white blood cells such as macrophages and neutrophils.
 
#* Local lymph nodes may also be inflamed following inflammation of a tissue which drains into them.
 
 
===Sequelae to Exudation===
 
 
* Catarrhal and serous exudationresolve when the irritant is overcome.
 
** Alternatively, they may progress to a more serious reaction.
 
* Fibrinous exudates may also resolve if the fibrin is digested by macrophages.
 
**  In the pleural and peritoneal cavities, the fibrin may become rganised  into fibrous tissue, producing adhesions between the visceral surface.
 
* Diphtheritic inflammation will only repair by scar formation.
 
* If haemorrhagic lesions are widespread, they most commonly associated with acute deaths.
 
** For example in acute viral, bacterial or toxic diseases.
 
* If the exudation is strictly localised, for example in brusing, then repair may occur.
 
* The resolution of abscesses depends upon their location.
 
** If the abscess is near to a surface it will rupture onto it.
 
** This is beneficial in the skin where it discharges to the exterior, hopefully getting rid of the pyogenic organism.
 
** If the abscess is in deeper tissues, there is extensive fibrous capsule formation.
 
*** The fluid becomes inspissated due to withdrawal of water content.
 
*** Macrophages digest the necrotic remains.
 
*** Fibrous tissue organises the interior.
 
*** The very end result is a fibrous scar.
 
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Inflammation]]
 
[[Category:Inflammation]]

Revision as of 11:10, 4 August 2010


Fluids

Serous

  • Serous fluids are formed due to mild vascular injury in an organ or in vessels underlying a

surface.

  • The fluid is clear to cloudy fluid.
    • Little protein is present.
  • Examples:
    Burn injury. (Courtesy of T. Scase)
    • Vesicles of the skin.
    • Many inflammations in joints.

Catarrhal

  • Catarrhal inflammation is a mild form of inflammation.
  • Occurs on mucous membranes where there are many mucus cells.
  • The consistency of catarrhal exudate varies from water to gelatinous.
  • Colour varies from cloudy to pinkish.
  • This form of exudation is essentially a shedding of epithelium containing many mucus cells, neutrophils, some RBCs, and flecks of fibrin.
  • Common in mild forms of rhinitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, gastritis and enteritis.

Fibrinous

  • Fibrinous exudation occurs in more severe endothelial injury.
    • Injury results in the escape of fibrinogen, which is converted to fibrin.
  • The fibrin formed appears as a yellowish coagulation on the surface of or within a tissue.
    • Common in the lungs and on serous surfaces.
  • In hollow organs the fluid may coagulate to form casts of the lumen.
  • Fibrin will peel off from the underlying tissue without causing damage to it.

Diptheritic

  • Diphtheritic exudate a more severe form of fibrinous exudate in which there is considerable necrosis of the underlying tissues.
  • Diptheritic exudate is firmly adherent to the underlying tissue.
    • Attempts at removal cause tearing of this tissue>
  • Commonly seen with internal surface fungal infections.
    • E.g. in the nose of the dog and the guttural pouch of the horse.
    • Fungal toxins penetrate the underlying tissue causing coagulation necrosis.

Haemorrhagic

  • This is a severe acute to peracute inflammation in which haemorrhage is the main component.
  • Seen in the lymph nodes, lungs and intestine in severe inflammation.

Purulent

  • In purulent inflammation, pus is the predominant feature.
    • Pus is an admixture of dead and dying neutrophils with necrotic cells and a pyogenic agent.
      • Proteolytic enzymes released by the dying neutrophils lyse tissue cells to produce a fluid.
  • Colour varies depending upon the agent.
    • May be white, yellow, green or brown.
  • An abscess is a circumscribed sphere of pus surrounded by a pyogenic membrane.
    • The pyogenic membrane is composed of capillaries bringing neutrophils into the sphere.
    • This rapidly becomes enveloped by a fibrous tissue capsule.
      • A local connective tissue response attempting to wall off the purulent irritant from nearby normal tissue.