Inflammatory processes

Question 1

When does inflammation occur?

Answer 1

Inflammation occurs in response to tissue damage and/ or infection and it is essential for wound healing.

Question 2

What are the four common signs of inflammation?

Answer 2

• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain

Question 3

What are the three key processes in inflammatory response?

Answer 3

1. Vasodilation increases blood flow (red/heat).
2. Increase in vascular permeability (plasma leaks from blood vessels into the damaged area).
3. Neutrophils and leucocytes migrate from blood into the damaged area.

Question 4

What are the early mediators in inflammation?

Answer 4

• Histamine and prostaglandins (vasodilation and increase permeability)
• Chemotactic factors (leukotrienes), released in degranulation which attracts neutrophils, which mature into phagocytes.

Question 5

Redness and heat

Answer 5

Inflammation leads to vasodilation, more blood flows to the damaged area, making the area red and warm.

Question 5

Swelling and pain

Answer 5

Chemicals released in inflammation cause small blood vessels to ‘leak’:
- Plasma enter interstitial fluid
- Plasma causes swelling in the tissues
- Pressure on the nerves causes pain
- Inflammatory chemicals also lead to pain.

Question 6

What are the benefits of inflammation?

Answer 6

• Helps prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Helps prevent the loss of blood
• Clears away dead cells before reconstruction
• Pain helps to reduce strain on the damaged area

Question 7

Inflammation

Answer 7

Once haemostasis has been achieved, blood vessels then dilate to allow essential cells (antibodies, white blood cells, growth factors, enzymes and nutrients) reach the wounded area.
The predominant cells at work here are the phagocytic cells (neutrophils and macrophages) mounting a host response and autolysing any devitalised ‘necrotic/ sloughy’ tissue.