What type of inflammation occurs immediately after tissue injury?

Prepare for the Lymphatic and Immune Systems Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Get ready for success!

Acute inflammation is the body's immediate response to tissue injury or infection. This process is characterized by rapid onset and a short duration, typically lasting from a few hours to a few days. The primary objective of acute inflammation is to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out damaged tissues, and initiate the healing process.

During acute inflammation, the affected area undergoes various changes, including increased blood flow, the arrival of immune cells, and the release of signaling molecules like cytokines and chemokines. These components work together to recruit white blood cells, such as neutrophils, to the site of injury. The clinical signs of acute inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function, reflecting the body's defensive mechanisms at work.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a prolonged and often maladaptive response that can result from a persistent irritant or inability to clear an acute inflammatory response. Adaptive inflammation is not a standard term used in medical literature; the term is usually related to types of immune responses rather than inflammation itself. Systemic inflammation refers to a widespread inflammatory response throughout the body, often as a result of a significant infection or disease, rather than focusing solely on the localized response that occurs immediately after injury.

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