MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedonyuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

SECTION 1. ORGAN. ORGAN SYSTEM. ORGANISM

INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is a standard pathological process that occurs upon tissue injury and is characterized by impaired Blood Circulation, vascular and Connective Tissue changes manifested as alteration, exudation, and proliferation. This predominantly local process triggers a systemic response of varying degrees from the entire Organism, primarily engaging the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.

The classical clinical and morphological manifestations of inflammation were first described by the Roman encyclopedist A. Celsus (circa 25–30 BC – 50 AD) in his treatise "De Medicina": redness (rubor), Swelling (tumor), heat (calor), and pain (dolor). Later, the Roman physician and naturalist C. Galen added a fifth sign – loss of function (functio laesa).

Etiology. Any damaging agent whose intensity and duration exceed the adaptive capacity of Tissues can trigger inflammation. Pathogenic factors are conventionally divided into external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous). External factors include microorganisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi); animal parasites (Protozoa, helminths, insects); chemical substances (acids, alkalis); mechanical impacts (foreign bodies, pressure, rupture) and thermal influences (cold, heat); as well as ionizing and ultraviolet radiation.

Internal factors include those originating within the body as a consequence of another disease. For instance, inflammation may develop as a reaction to a tumor, gallstones or urinary calculi, or a thrombus formed within Blood Vessels. Antigen-antibody complexes fixed in any organ can also serve as a cause of inflammation.