Lesson 3: Inflammation & Disturbances in Circulation

What is the definition of edema?

Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid within the tissues.

What was the medical term for edema formerly known as?

Dropsy

Why does edema present a challenge for embalmers regarding arterial fluid?

The excess tissue fluid dilates the arterial fluid, making the preservation less effective.

What are the primary causes of edema mentioned in the text?

Increased permeability of capillary walls, increased capillary pressure due to venous obstruction or heart failure, inflammatory conditions, and fluid and electrolyte disturbances.

What is the term for generalized swelling throughout the body?

Anosarcoma (referred to as anosarca earlier in the text)

What is the term for fluid accumulation in the stomach or abdomen?

Ascites

What is pulmonary edema?

The accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

What is hydropericardium?

Fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac.

Define hyperemia.

An increase in blood flow to a specific area of the body.

What is the difference between active and passive hyperemia?

Active hyperemia is an increased arterial blood supply for physiological reasons, while passive hyperemia occurs when blood cannot properly drain from tissues.

What is cyanosis and what causes it in the context of circulation?

A bluish discoloration caused by passive hyperemia when blood cannot properly drain from tissues.

What does the term ischemia mean?

Reduced blood flow.

What does hypoxia refer to?

Reduced oxygen reaching the tissues.

What is the medical term for a heart attack resulting from fatal ischemia?

Myocardial infarction

How can a person suffer from hypoxia even with adequate blood flow?

Through conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

What characteristic discoloration is associated with carbon monoxide poisoning on a decedent?

Bright cherry red discoloration.

What is a thrombus?

A stationary blood clot within a vessel.

What are the four common causes of blood clots listed in the transcript?

Injury to blood vessels, reduced rate of blood flow, alterations in the composition of blood, and certain diseases of blood.

What is an embolism?

An embolism occurs when a clot or other material travels through the bloodstream and blocks a vessel.

What measures might an embalmer take if embolic disease contributes to uneven fluid distribution?

Use topical preservation or hypodermic preservation.

What is the definition of hemorrhage?

The escape of blood from blood vessels.

What are the four common causes of hemorrhage?

Trauma, vascular diseases, high blood pressure, and diseases of the blood.

Name at least three different forms of hemorrhages mentioned.

Petechiae, epistaxis (nosebleeds), and hematemesis (vomiting blood).

What is hydrothorax?

Fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity.

What is the primary goal for funeral service professionals when managing circulatory disturbances during embalming?

To ensure the family has the opportunity for a meaningful final viewing by providing high-level care and proper preservation.

What is the definition of inflammation according to the lecture?

The body's natural defense mechanism against injury, infection, or harmful substances, working to remove damaged tissue and begin healing.

Why do inflamed blood vessels present challenges for embalmers?

They may leak fluid, cause edema, result in discoloration, or lead to a poor distribution of arterial solution.

What are the four primary cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation observed in living patients?

Heat, redness, pain, and loss of function.

What are the five cardinal signs of inflammation as listed in Latin-based terms in the transcript?

Tumor, color, rubor, dolor, and punctualasia.

Which term describes the sign of swelling during inflammation?

Tumor

In the context of the five cardinal signs, what does the term 'color' represent?

Heat

Which cardinal sign refers to redness?

Rubor

Which cardinal sign refers to pain?

Dolor

What term is used in the transcript to describe the loss of function?

Punctualasia

What are the major causes of inflammation mentioned by the instructor?

Trauma, infections, chemicals, or autoimmune diseases.

How is acute inflammation characterized in regarding its duration?

Short term or short duration.

What is the typical duration of chronic inflammation?

It lasts for months or years (from days to years).

What permanent issues can chronic inflammatory diseases produce that influence the preservation process?

Permanent tissue damages, fibrosis, or organ damage.

What is the initial vascular response to injury before vessels dilate?

Blood vessels first constrict.

What is the function of white blood cells migrating to an injured area?

To destroy bacteria through phagocytosis.

Why is scar tissue a concern for the distribution of arterial fluid?

It is less permeable than healthy tissue, making arterial distribution difficult.

What supplemental treatment is recommended for areas where scar tissue prevents complete preservation?

Localized hypodermic surface embalming.

What is the process called where blood flow slows and leukocytes migrate to the vessel walls?

Chemotaxis

How is the process of phagocytosis defined in the lecture?

The engulfing of cells to destroy them.

What is an abscess?

An area of inflammation basically characterized as an area of pus.

What is a vesicle?

A blister like elevation of the skin containing serous fluid.

What is the definition of a furuncle?

A lesion known as a boil.

How is a carbuncle defined in relation to other inflammatory lesions?

An abscess of the skin formed by the merger of two or more furuncles.

What is an exudate?

Fluid released from the body with a high concentration of protein cells or solid debris.

What is a purulent exudate?

Fluid primarily composed of pus resulting from an infection.

Edema

A local or generalized condition in which the body tissues contain an excessive amount of tissue fluid.

Dropsy

The name formerly used for edema.

Anasarca

Severe, generalized edema.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

Hydrothorax

A collection of fluid in the pleural cavity causing shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Hydrocele

Edema of the scrotum.

Hydropericardium

Edema of the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, a symptom that can be associated with hydropericardium.

Pitting edema

Edema usually of the skin of the extremities where the skin maintains the depression produced when pressed firmly with a finger.

Pulmonary edema

A potentially life-threatening accumulation of fluid in the lungs that may inhibit the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hyperemia

Increased flow of blood in an area of the body.

Active hyperemia

Increased arterial blood supply to an organ for physiologic reasons, such as exercise, or pathological reasons, such as acute inflammatory diseases.

Passive hyperemia

The engorgement of an organ or tissues with venous blood resulting from inadequate venous drainage.

Cyanosis

A reddish-blue discoloration of affected parts seen in passive hyperemia because venous return is impaired and blood becomes deoxygenated.

Ischemia

A deficiency of arterial blood flow to an organ or tissue.

Hypoxia

A decrease in the level of oxygen within a tissue.

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot.

Thrombus

A stationary blood clot that has the potential to fragment in the bloodstream.

Embolism

The sudden obstruction of a vessel by debris.

Embolus

A free-floating object in the bloodstream, such as blood clots, cholesterol-containing plaques, or air bubbles.

Hemorrhage

The escape of blood from the blood vascular system.

Petechiae

Antemortem pinpoint-size hemorrhages of small capillaries in the skin or mucous membranes.

Ecchymosis

The scientific name for a common bruise.

Epistaxis

The scientific name for blood coming from the nose.

Hemoptysis

The coughing of bloody sputum from the respiratory tract.

Inflammation

An immunological defense against injury, infection, or allergy, marked by increases in regional blood flow, immigration of white blood cells, and release of chemical toxins.

Tumor

Swelling caused by increased permeability of vessels.

Color

Heat caused by vasodilation.

Rubor

Redness caused by vasodilation.

Dolor

Pain caused by nervous stimulations and swelling.

Functio laesa

Altered function caused by swelling and pain.

Acute inflammation

Inflammation characterized by being short in duration, lasting only a few minutes to a few days, attempting to regenerate tissues with no residual effects.

Chronic inflammation

A type of inflammation that differs from acute inflammation in that it can last from days to years.

Vasoconstriction

A decrease in the diameter of a vessel occurring for about $15$ to $30$ minutes to isolate contaminants within the site of injury.

Histamine

A chemical released within the injury site that initiates vasodilation, increasing blood flow.

Vasodilation

An increase in blood flow that causes swelling, redness, and heat, used to flush the wound of foreign matter.

Phagocytosis

The process where leukocytes and platelets work together to recognize foreign cells, engulf them, and destroy them.

Abscess

An inflamed area of pus that is walled off by a membrane, often within a fibrous capsule.

Ulcers

Open sores or lesions of skin or mucous membranes accompanied by sloughing of inflamed necrotic tissue.

Vesicle

A blister-like elevation of skin containing serous fluid.

Furuncle

Also known as a boil, it is an abscess or pustular infection of a sweat gland or hair follicle.

Pustule

A small elevation of the skin containing pus.

Carbuncle

An abscess of the skin formed by the merger of two or more furuncles.

Exudate

Any fluid released from the body with a high concentration of protein, cells, or solid debris that oozes through tissues into a cavity or to the surface.

Hemorrhage

The escape of blood from the blood vascular system.

Hemorrhagic exudate

Exudates that contain blood.

Serous exudates

Exudates that are rich in proteins and contain white blood cells.

Purulent exudate

Also known as suppurative exudate, it is primarily composed of pus resulting from infections.

Resolution

The termination of the inflammatory response with the affected part returning to its normal state.

Regeneration

The process in which damaged cells are replaced with identical new cells.