INFLAMMATION
Acute cellulitis of the left leg after a laceration to the big
toe. There is significant inflammation that extends nearly
to the knee, including erythema (redness) and edema
(swelling).
Inflammation is the key manner in which the body reacts to infection, irritation or physical injury. Its main features are redness, warmth, swelling and pain. Inflammation is a type of non-specific immune response.
Inflammation is classified as either acute or chronic.
- Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to infection or other harmful event. It starts with the accumulation of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the affected tissues. A series of biochemical processes then occurs that involves the vascular system in the immediate area, the immune response, and assorted cells within the injured tissue. Acute inflammation is specific and usually is resolved by attending to the underlying infection or injury.
- Chronic inflammation does not resolve quickly and typically persists or moves through cycles of relief followed by a return of the inflammation. Biochemically, it results in a change in the type of cells present at the inflammatory site and leads to tissue destruction, fibrosis, and necrosis
Major causes include:
- Trauma
- Burns (from heat, chemicals, or friction)
- Infection by pathogens
- Physical injury, blunt or penetrating
- Immune reactions due to hypersensitivity
- Toxins
- Ionizing radiation
- Foreign bodies, including splinters, dirt and debris
- Chemical irritants
- Frostbite
Additional Information about Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation: Types, Causes and Treatments from chronic-inflammation.com
Related Topics
Chemokine
Mast cell
Histamine
Anaphylotoxin
Interleukin
Granulocyte
Lipoxin
Leukocyte
Return from Inflammation to Medical Terms Ia-Iz