What are mast cells? Mast cells are a type of white blood cell (WBC) that are involved in the body’s immune response. Mast cells are similar in appearance to basophils, with both types of cells containing large granules in their cytoplasm (body of the cell), but they originate from different cell lines and can be …
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What is fibrinopurulent exudate? Fibrinopurulent exudate is a type of fluid that accumulates at a site of tissue damage or inflammation, which contains a combination of fibrin, inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, and cellular debris. Fibrin is a protein that plays a role in blood clotting, and it can form a mesh-like network that helps …
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What is chronic cholecystitis? Chronic cholecystitis is prolonged, or long-standing, inflammation of the gallbladder. It is a very common condition that is more frequently seen in young and middle-aged women. What causes chronic cholecystitis? Chronic cholecystitis is typically caused by gallstones that get stuck in the cystic duct, which is a tube that connects the …
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What are inflammatory cells? Inflammatory cells are part of the body’s natural defense response to injury or disease. They are part of the immune system. These cells have many roles in the body such as destroying and eliminating a disease (such as a virus), calling other inflammatory cells to respond to the disease, or helping …
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What is inflammation? Inflammation is the natural response of the body’s immune system to injury, infection, or stress. It is a complex process that involves the release of chemicals from immune cells, blood vessels, and other tissues that help to fight off harmful substances and repair damaged tissues. What causes inflammation? Inflammation is caused by …
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What is granulation tissue? Granulation describes the look of tissue that is healing after an injury. Without a microscope, granulation tissue usually looks red or pink and it often feels soft to the touch. When examined under a microscope, granulation tissue is made up of many small blood vessels surrounded by a combination of cells …
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What does acute inflammation mean? Acute inflammation is the body’s first defense response to injury or disease. The response is led by immune cells such as neutrophils and eosinophils. Acute inflammation can be associated with infections, traumatic injury, autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis), or cancer. Can acute inflammation cause damage? Although acute inflammation is …
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