2. Degeneration (dystrophy)
is a pathological process due to
disturbance of either cellular or
tissue metabolism which causes
changes in the structure of cells,
tissues, etc.
3. Trophism mechanisms are cellular and
extracellular:
cellular: autoregulation (enzymes)
extracellular: transportation systems
(blood, lymph); endocrine regulation;
4. Morphogenetic mechanisms of degenerations:
infiltration: abundant invasion of metabolite
products from the transportation system to the cell
followed by their accumulation;
decomposition: destruction of cellular
ultrastructure (lipoprotein complex from cellular
membranes) with accumulation within a cell;
abnormal synthesis: intracellular synthesis of the
substances which are not produced normally (e.g.
amyloid);
transformation: formation of products of one type
of metabolism from the common primary products,
e.g. increased polymerization of glycogen from
glucose.
5. Classification of degenerations
According to the localization:
a) parenchymatous (intracellular accumulation),
b) mesenchymatous (extracellular accumulation),
c) mixed type.
According to the type of metabolism disturbance:
a) albuminous (protein),
b) fatty (adipose), (lipidosis),
c) carbohydrate,
d) mineral
According to the origin:
a) acquired,
b) heriteted.
According to propagation
a) general,
b) local.
7. The modern classification of
parenchymatous albuminous
degenerations:
1) hyalin-drop
2) hydropic (edematous, balloon)
8. Hyalin-drop degeneration
Microscopically: rounded, eosinophilic
droplets, vacuoles, or aggregates in the
cytoplasm
Macroscopically: not changes
Localizations: kidney, liver,
myocardium
9.
10. Hydropic degeneration
Microscopically: large vacuoles of cytoplasm
fluid in the cytoplasm, the nucleus which
displaced to the peripheral areas
Macroscopically: not changes
Localizations: kidneys, skin, liver, muscles,
nerves
11. Horny degeneration
abundant formation of horny substance
in keratinized epithelium
(hyperkeratosis and ichtyosis)
appearance of horny substance in the
places where is not found under normal
conditions (leukoplakias)
14. Manifestation
of disturbance of fat metabolism:
appearance of fat in the place where it
does not appear under normal
conditions (e.g. in the myocardium),
appearance of fat of unusual
composition;
increase of fat amount in the places
where it is present under normal
conditions (e.g. in the fat depots).
15. Hypoxia - the main cause of fatty
degeneration
disturbances in transportation systems
(e.g. in patient with chronic
cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary
insufficiency);
chronic intoxications (e.g. alcoholism);
cachexia, avitaminosis;
infections (e.g. diphtheria, tuberculosis).
20. Glycogen metabolism disturbance
increase or reduction in the amount in
the tissues where it is present under
normal conditions,
its appearance in the areas where it is not
present under normal conditions
