Category:Intestine - Inflammatory Pathology

Intestine - Inflammatory Pathology

Inflammation involving small or large intestine is known as enteritis. More specific segments may be involved, (for example caecum - typhlitis, colon - colitis, rectum - proctitis). As with other sections of the alimentary system, there are several different types of inflammation that occur in the intestines. Even quite mild inflammatory lesions can have quite severe effects, especially if they go on for any length of time. The major pathological entities are outlined below.


Inflammation of the Intestines

  • Enteritis is extremely common, and is usually associated with diarrhoea.
    • Diarrhoea is the passage of faeces with increased bulk and/or fluid content.
    • However, remember that enteritis may occur without diarrhoea, and diarrhoea can occur without enteritis!
  • There are very many causes of enteritis - some are outlined in this section.
    • Laboratory support is usually required for a comprehensive diagnosis, but we must try to narrow the diagnostic options.
    • Diagnosis is aided by noting:
      • Species
      • Age
      • Gross distribution of lesions- i.e. upper or lower small intestine.
      • The effects on the large intestine.
      • The type of mucosal pathology- both grossly and histologically.

Normal Intestinal Structure

  • The normal intestinal structure consists of:
    • The mucosa
      • In the small intestine, the epithelium forms villi and crypts.
        • Epithelium is continuously renewed.
      • Also has associated glands.
    • The lamina propria
      • Supportive tissue
    • The muscularis mucosae
    • The submucosa
    • Radial, and then longitudinal, muscle.
    • The serosa.


  • Damage due to enteritis results in morphological changes to the normal structure, e.g.
    • Villus atrophy.
    • Apparent elongation of the crypts.
    • Various types of inflammatory cell infiltration.
  • However, the bowel may remain morphologically normal in some diarrhoeaic conditions.
    • For example, in hypersecretory diarrhoea due to some bacterial toxins.


Inflammatory Bowel Disease And Related Conditions

Villus Atrophy

Subcategories

This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.

Pages in category "Intestine - Inflammatory Pathology"

The following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total.