Inflammation and inflammatory response_20250215123414920

Inflammation

A protective response of the body to injurious agents, mediated by multiple cell types and inflammatory molecules.

Acute Inflammation

A rapid, short-term immune response to infection, injury, or toxins, typically resolving within hours to days.

Chronic Inflammation

Long-term inflammation causing continuous tissue damage and organ dysfunction, seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis.

Vascular Phase

The initial phase of inflammation involving transient vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation.

Classical Signs of Inflammation

Signs that include Rubor (redness), Tumor (swelling), Calor (heat), Dolor (pain), and Functio laesa (loss of function).

Chemotaxis

The movement of white blood cells to the site of injury directed by chemical signals.

Diapedesis

The process by which white blood cells squeeze through capillary pores to enter tissues.

Phagocytosis

The process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy pathogens and debris.

Systemic Response

Effects induced by inflammatory mediators leading to broader physiological impacts such as fever and leukocytosis.

Pyrogens

Substances that induce fever by resetting the hypothalamic temperature set point.

Lymphadenopathy

Enlarged lymph nodes due to white blood cell proliferation.

Leukocytosis

An increased white blood cell count in response to infection.

Purulent Exudate

Thick fluid rich in white blood cells, bacteria, and cell debris, often seen in abscesses.

Serous Exudate

Clear, watery fluid that accumulates at the site of inflammation.

Fibrinous Exudate

Thick, sticky, fibrin-rich fluid involved in inflammation.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α)

An inflammatory mediator produced by macrophages that induces fever and low blood pressure in sepsis.

Interleukins (IL-1, IL-6)

Cytokines that stimulate white blood cell production and induce fever and fatigue.

Histamine

A mediator released by mast cells and basophils that causes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.

Bradykinin

A kinin that causes pain, vasodilation, and smooth muscle contraction.

Prostaglandins (PGs)

Mediators that cause pain, fever, and muscle contractions during inflammation.

Leukotrienes

Mediators that cause bronchospasm and increase vascular permeability.

COX-1 Pathway

Pathway that produces protective prostaglandins involved in gastric mucus and kidney perfusion.

COX-2 Pathway

Pathway that produces inflammatory prostaglandins responsible for pain, fever, and swelling.

Neutrophils

The first responders in inflammation that phagocytize bacteria and debris.

Eosinophils

White blood cells involved in fighting parasites and allergic reactions.

Basophils/Mast Cells

Cells that release histamine and mediate allergic responses.

Leukopenia

Decreased white blood cell count that can occur in certain infections.

Free Radical Production

The generation of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils to kill microbes, which can also damage healthy tissue.

Cytokine Storm

An excessive response of cytokines leading to hypotension, organ failure, and shock.

Fever in Inflammation

An increase in body temperature as a systemic effect of inflammation, triggered by pyrogens.

Severe Sepsis

A life-threatening systemic response to infection, marked by cytokine storm and organ failure.

Complete Resolution

The ideal inflammatory response outcome where healing occurs with no lasting tissue damage.

Fibrosis

Scar formation that results from severe damage and replacement of tissue with connective tissue.

Chronic Inflammation Outcomes

Prolonged inflammation leading to continuous tissue injury and disease progression.

Immune Cells

Cells that respond to infection and injury, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages.

Inflammatory Mediators

Substances regulating the initiation, amplification, and resolution of the inflammatory response.

Blood Vessel Repair

A process promoted by inflammatory mediators like platelet-activating factor.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Highly reactive molecules produced by neutrophils to kill pathogens.

Antioxidants

Substances that protect against oxidative damage from free radicals.

WBC Migration

Movement of white blood cells towards the site of injury as a part of the inflammatory response.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow to the tissue.

Tissue Repair

The process initiated by immune cells to heal and restore tissue after injury.

Chemicals in Inflammation

Substances such as cytokines, histamines, and prostaglandins that mediate inflammatory responses.

Injury Containment

The goal of inflammation to stop the spread of harmful agents within the body.

Immune Cell Recruitment

The process by which immune cells are summoned to sites of injury or infection.