Notes of a High Distinction Student: Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Vascular & Cellular Changes Produced By Chemical Mediators Causing Inflammation Inflammation is a vascularised response to injury, mostly an immune response to infectious organisms, trauma, surgery, chemicals and extreme heat and cold. The suffix "itis" e.g. appendicitis characterises inflammation, therefore appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix.   Acute inflammation Symptoms Includes vascular and cellular phases including: Redness due to hyperemia (increased blood flow) Heat due to hyperemia Swelling due to increased capillary permeability and filtration Pain due to inflammatory chemicals (bradykinin) and fluid pressure on nerves or nerve injury. The purpose of inflammation is to decrease the spread of pathogens giving the body an increased chance of removing them and damaged tissue debris and to repair the tissue damage.  The sequence of acute inflammation Change in vascular calibre and blood flow Change in vascular blood flow Cellul...