Inflammation

focal

single abnormality or focus

multifocal

many scattered foci

locally extensive

all of tissue in a zone is effected

diffuse

involving an entire tissue or organ

peracute

becoming apparent rapidly, usually caused by a potent stimulus

acute

occurring within 4-6 hours of stimulus and lasting 3-5 days, remaining constant in appearance

subacute

inflammatory reactions characterized by a decrease in redness of the tissue and fluid accumulation after initial insult, intermediate duration (10-14 days)

chronic

persistent inflammatory stimulus over longer period of time, usually by an immune response and evidence of repair (such as scarring)

vasodilation

dilation of small blood vessels, results in increased blood flow to the affected area and in turn the onset of heat and redness

increased vascular permeability

fluid, cells, and proteins escape due to damage to endothelial cells or increase in vessel pore size from contraction of endothelial cells- creates swelling

cellular events

WBCs and RBCs leak out of affected vessels

mediators

components to help control the inflammatory reaction

histamine

released from mast cells as well as activated platelets, dilates blood vessels and increases vascular permeability

serotonin

found in CNS as a neurotransmitter as well as being released by activated platelets, dilates blood vessels and increases vascular permeability

plasma proteases

include coagulation factors and complement (mediator)

prostaglandins

most important vasodilators and mediators of inflammation

cytokines

molecules that direct WBCs to the site of inflammation, regulate cell function and proliferation with immune response

exudate

fluid that accumulates within the tissues experiencing inflammation

serous

fluid low in dissolved protein, low number of cells, no clotting factors (exudate)

serosanguineous

fluid containing both serum and blood-thin and watery

purulent

cloudy/yellow, white or green containing many leukocytes (exudate)

fibrinopurulent

contains the clotting protein fibrin and pus (exudate)

fibrinous

exudate that contains fibrin, but lacks pus

hemorrhagic

exudate that contains many RBCs

catarrhous

exudate that contains mucus

pseudo

...