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 repair.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inflammation can be acute or chronic depending on the duration and nature of the stimulus.
2. Key signs of inflammation include redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and sometimes loss of function.
3. The inflammatory response involves various immune cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells releasing cytokines and chemokines.
4. Inflammation is a crucial part of the innate immune system but can lead to tissue damage if uncontrolled.
5. Systemic inflammation can result in fever as part of a broader immune response.

Review Questions

• What are the key signs of inflammation?
• How do immune cells contribute to the inflammatory response?
• Why can chronic inflammation be harmful?

Related terms

Cytokine: A small protein released by cells that has a specific effect on interactions and communications between cells.

Acute-phase proteins: Proteins whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation.

Phagocytosis:

The process by which a cell engulfs particles such as bacteria or cellular debris.