Inflammation

Definition

Inflammation is the body's immediate response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. It aims to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out damaged cells and tissues, and establish a repair process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inflammation is part of the innate immune response and acts as an immediate defense mechanism.
2. Key signs of inflammation include redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and sometimes loss of function.
3. Inflammatory mediators such as histamines, cytokines, and prostaglandins play crucial roles in the inflammatory process.
4. Acute inflammation is short-term and often resolves itself after eliminating the injurious agent, whereas chronic inflammation can persist and lead to tissue damage.
5. White blood cells like neutrophils are among the first responders that migrate to inflamed tissues during an inflammatory response.

Review Questions

• What are the key signs of inflammation?
• Which types of cells are primarily involved in the initial inflammatory response?
• Differentiate between acute and chronic inflammation.

Related terms

Cytokines:

Small proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on interactions and communications between cells during immune responses.

Histamine:

A compound released by mast cells in response to injury or allergic reactions causing dilation of capillaries and contraction of smooth muscle.

Neutrophils:

White blood cells that are among the first immune cells to arrive at a site of infection or inflammation.