CHAPTER FIVE: INFLAMMATION
Definitions
Histamine _______________________________________________________________
Kinin ___________________________________________________________________
Transudate ______________________________________________________________
Exudate _________________________________________________________________
Haemostasis _____________________________________________________________
Pyrexia __________________________________________________________________
Leukocytosis _____________________________________________________________
Phagocytosis _____________________________________________________________
Introduction to Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or disease. Inflammation is a non-specific, innate immune response that is meant to the body from pathogens. In many tissues, inflammation also plays a role in healing and is necessary to initiate the repair process. In some cases, inflammation is not beneficial. An excessive or inappropriate inflammatory response may cause damage to normal body tissue and may result in greater dysfunction. Horses are prone to excessive inflammation as seen in the development of in lower limb wounds. The main functions of inflammation are to destroy, neutralize or contain antigens that have entered the body. Inflammation utilizes non-specific mechanisms such as and to rid the body of potentially harmful invaders. Depending on the type of pathogen and the type of tissue being affected, inflammation can take on different forms and last for varying amounts of time. Several types of injury can trigger an inflammatory response. Practically any situation that involves cell necrosis will cause inflammation. In cases of infection (viral, bacterial, parasitic) inflammation is considered beneficial, while in most other cases inflammation itself is the cause of much of damage to normal tissue. It is important to remember that infection and inflammation are not analogous. is defined as the presence of a foreign biological agent that causes dysfunction or disease, while inflammation is defined as a localized tissue reaction characterized by pain, redness, loss of function, swelling and heat. Inflammation always
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