Pathophysiology Notes - Inflammation and Healing
Pathophysiology Notes - Inflammation and Healing
Pathophysiology Notes - Inflammation and Healing
Causes Pain may be felt d/t inflammation, infection, ischemia, tissue necrosis, stretching of tissue,
chemicals or burns.
Skeletal muscle Pain may result from ischemia or hemorrhage
Somatic Pain May arise from the skin (cutaneous) or deeper structures – such as bones or muscles –
Conducted my sensory nerves
Visceral Pain Originates from the organs
Travels by sympathetic fibres.
Inflammation is not the same as infection – although, infection is one of the causes of
inflammation.
With infection microorganisms such as: Bacteria, viruses, and fungi – are always present at the site –
causing inflammation,
When inflammation is caused by an allergy or a burn no microbes are present
Normal:
1) Blood flow Normal fluid shift protein remains in blood & water electrolytes, glucose
into interstitial fluid Cells remain in blood
Inflammation:
1) Injury Cells release chemical mediators Vasodilation – increases blood flow Increased
capillary permeability Leukocytes move to the site of injury Macrophages - Phagocytosis
– removal of debris in preparation for healing
Acute Inflammation
Pathophysiology
Inflammation may develop immediately and last only a short period of time may have a delayed
onset. (e.g. sunburn) or it may be more severe and ongoing
The severity is based on the cause and the amount of exposure
form exudate
Chemotactic factors Mast cell granules Attract neutrophils to the site
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) Cell membranes of platelets Activate neutrophils
Platelet aggregation
Chemical mediators include: histamine, serotonin, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes into the
interstitial fluid and blood
These chemicals affect blood vessels and nerves in the damaged area
Cytokines serve as communicators in the tissue fluids sending messages to lymphocytes and
macrophages, the immune system, or the hypothalamus to induce fever
Local vasodilation: relaxation of smooth muscle causing an increase in the diameter of
arterioles which causes hyperemia (increased blood flow in the area)
Capillary permeability also increases allowing plasma proteins to move into the interstitial
space along with more fluid
- The increased fluid dilutes any toxic material at the site while globulins serve as antibodies
- Fibrinogen attempts to localize the site by providing a fibrin mesh
Lymphocytes Activity
1) T-Lymphocytes Active in cell-mediated immune response
2) B-Lymphocytes Produces antibodies
3) Monocytes Phagocytosis
4) Macrophages Active in phagocytosis. These are mature
monocytes that have migrated into tissues from
the blood
A granuloma a small mass of cells with a necrotic center and covered by connective tissue may
develop around a foreign object (e.g. splinter) or part of the immune response in some infections
such as tuberculosis
Healing
Types of Healing Description Example/Class Notes
Resolution The process that occurs when there is After a mild burn
minimal tissue damage.
The damaged cells recover, the tissues
return to normal within a short period of
time
Regeneration Healing process that occurs in damaged Some type of cells – epithelial –
tissue in which the cells are capable of are constantly replicating
mitosis
Replacement Replaced by connective tissue (scar or Brain tissue or myocardium
fibrous tissue formation)
Takes place when there is extensive tissue
damage or the cells are incapable of mitosis
*Healing by first intention Refers to the process involved when the This type of healing is seen in
wound is clean, free of foreign material and some surgical incisions
necrotic tissue, and the edges of it are held
close together creating a minimal gap
between the edges
*Healing by second intention Refers to a situation in which there is a A compound fracture would
large break in the tissue and consequently heal in this manner
more inflammation a longer healing
process and formation of more scar tissue
buds from the surrounding tissue very fragile and is easily broken down by microorganisms or
stress on the tissue
- Wound cavity is being filled in, nearby epithelial cells undergo mitosis, extending across the
wound from the outside edges inward
- Collagen a protein that is the basic component of scar tissue and provides strength for the
new repair
Adhesions
Bands of scar tissue joining two surfaces that are normally separated
Ulceration
Blood supply may be impaired around the scar resulting in further tissue breakdown and ulceration
Types of microorganisms
Bacteria
Bacteria are unicellular (single cell) organisms that do not require living tissue to survive
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