Inflammation and Wound Healing

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to inflammation and wound healing based on the lecture notes.

Inflammation

A biological response to harmful stimuli, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Acute Inflammation

A rapid, non-specific immune response occurring shortly after an injury, aimed at removing the cause and initiating healing.

Chronic Inflammation

A prolonged inflammatory response that can result from an unresolved acute inflammation and may cause tissue and cellular damage.

Vasodilation

The enlargement of blood vessels, resulting in increased blood flow to tissue, associated with redness and heat during inflammation.

Diapedesis

The process by which white blood cells move out of the circulatory system and into the site of inflammation.

Cellular Mediators

Cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, and basophils that play a significant role in the inflammatory process.

Chemical Mediators

Substances like histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins that facilitate and regulate the inflammatory response.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells engulf and digest pathogens and debris in the body.

Histamine

A chemical mediator released from mast cells that plays a significant role in inflammatory responses by causing vasodilation and increasing vascular permeability.

Prostaglandins

Lipid compounds derived from fatty acids that have various functions, including mediating inflammation and causing pain.

Leukotrienes

Chemical mediators produced in response to inflammatory stimuli that contribute to inflammation, such as causing bronchospasm and increasing vascular permeability.