MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Ya.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

CHAPTER 7. THE NUTRITIONAL PROCESS AND ITS PATHOLOGY

PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

ORAL CAVITY PATHOLOGY

3. PHARYNGITIS

Acute pharyngitis, or acute inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, is rarely an isolated condition. More commonly, it accompanies acute catarrh of the Upper Respiratory Tract, as well as certain infectious diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, Influenza, and others.

Morphological changes are characterized by edema and cellular infiltration of the pharyngeal mucosa, vascular dilation, epithelial desquamation, and hyperemia, which may extend to the mucous membrane of the auditory tubes. The inflammatory reaction is typically most pronounced in areas where lymphoid tissue aggregates—namely, in the nasopharyngeal vault and the openings of the auditory tubes.

Chronic pharyngitis develops As a result of untreated frequent acute pharyngitis episodes or those recurring under METABOLISM/18.html">The Influence of occupational and environmental factors. Prolonged exposure to damp and cold environments, smoking, alcohol consumption, chilled beverages, and occupational hazards (dust, vapor, gases, etc.) can all contribute to the onset of chronic pharyngitis.

Chronic pharyngitis may be catarrhal, hypertrophic, or atrophic. Hypertrophic pharyngitis generally precedes the atrophic form.

Simple chronic catarrhal pharyngitis is morphologically characterized by hyperemia, moderate edema, and thickening of the pharyngeal mucosa; isolated areas of the posterior pharyngeal wall are covered with transparent or slightly turbid mucus.

The hypertrophic form of pharyngitis is characterized by thickening and edematous loosening of the Connective Tissue framework of the mucosa and submucosa. Serous exudate infiltrating the mucosa gradually becomes organized and is replaced by cellular elements. The mucous membrane thickens and becomes denser. Blood and Lymphatic vessels are dilated and frequently surrounded by lymphocytic infiltrates. The pharyngeal glands are enlarged, their secretion is increased, and lymphoid formations are significantly thickened and expanded. The surface epithelium thickens due to an increase in the number of Cell layers.

In atrophic pharyngitis, the mucous membrane is thinned, and its lymphoid tissue is partially replaced by connective tissue fibers. The number and size of mucous glands are reduced. Vascular density is also decreased, their walls are thickened, and their lumens are narrowed. The surface epithelium is predominantly keratinized and desquamated in certain areas.