Wound Healing and Inflammation

Flashcards focusing on key vocabulary related to wound healing and inflammation concepts.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury or damage, which involves immune system activation.

Chronic inflammation

Inflammation that lasts for more than two weeks and fails to return to a normal state.

Acute inflammation

A rapid inflammatory response that typically lasts less than two weeks.

Wound healing

The process through which the body repairs injured tissues.

Phases of wound healing

Include Acute inflammation, Reconstructive phase, and Maturation phase.

Fibroblasts

Cells that play a crucial role in wound healing by producing collagen and other extracellular matrix components.

Scar tissue

The fibrous tissue that replaces normal tissue after an injury or surgery.

Granulation tissue

New tissue formed during the healing process, usually red and moist.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding that occurs immediately after an injury.

Dysfunctional wound healing

When the healing process is impaired, leading to issues such as insufficient repair or excessive repair.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joints.

Epithelialization

The process by which epithelial cells migrate to cover a wound.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels, essential for healing and tissue repair.

Neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that is among the first responders to sites of infection or injury.

Macrophages

Immune cells that play a role in the cleanup of cellular debris and promotion of healing.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Chronic exposure

Continued exposure to irritants or pathogens that can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Autoimmune disorders

Conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells.