Acute inflammation

Definition

Acute inflammation is the body's immediate response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. This process is crucial for healing, as it involves the activation of immune cells, increased blood flow, and the release of signaling molecules that help to contain and eliminate pathogens or damaged tissue.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Acute inflammation typically lasts for a few days and resolves once the underlying cause has been addressed.
2. This process is initiated by the release of pro-inflammatory mediators like histamine, leading to increased vascular permeability.
3. Acute inflammation can be triggered by a variety of factors, including infections, physical injuries, and chemical irritants.
4. The classic signs of acute inflammation are often referred to as the five cardinal signs: redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function.
5. If acute inflammation is not resolved, it can progress to chronic inflammation, which may lead to further tissue damage and various diseases.

Review Questions

• How does acute inflammation initiate the healing process in response to injury?
  • Acute inflammation initiates healing by rapidly recruiting immune cells to the site of injury or infection. The process begins with the release of signaling molecules like cytokines and histamines, which increase blood flow and attract white blood cells. These immune cells work to contain pathogens and start repairing damaged tissues through phagocytosis and the release of growth factors.
• Discuss the role of vasodilation in acute inflammation and how it contributes to the symptoms experienced during this response.
  • Vasodilation plays a critical role in acute inflammation by increasing blood flow to the affected area. This leads to the classic symptoms: redness and heat due to more blood being delivered. The increased permeability of blood vessels allows proteins and immune cells to exit the bloodstream and enter the tissues, causing swelling. This accumulation of fluid helps isolate pathogens but can also contribute to pain due to pressure on surrounding nerves.
• Evaluate the potential consequences if acute inflammation does not resolve properly after an injury.
  • If acute inflammation fails to resolve properly, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which is associated with ongoing tissue damage and various diseases like arthritis, heart disease, or cancer. Chronic inflammation can disrupt normal healing processes and contribute to a cycle of further injury and immune response. This long-term state can alter the body's normal regulatory mechanisms, leading to complications that affect overall health and function.

Related terms

Cytokines: Signaling proteins released by immune cells that help to communicate and coordinate the inflammatory response.

Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow to affected tissues during inflammation.

Phagocytosis: The process by which immune cells engulf and digest pathogens or debris from damaged tissue.