Cell Injury and Its Consequences

Types of Cell Injury

Cell injury occurs when a cell is exposed to excessive stress or harmful stimuli, leading to dysfunction or death. This process is fundamental in pathology and is categorized into various types.

Reversible Cell Injury

Reversible injuries allow cells to recover if the harmful stimulus is removed. Key features include:

• Cellular swelling due to impaired ion transport
• Fatty changes, common in hepatocytes
• Mitochondrial dysfunction

Irreversible Cell Injury

When damage surpasses the cell's ability to repair, irreversible injury leads to necrosis or apoptosis.

• Necrosis: Uncontrolled cell death due to severe damage, characterized by inflammation.
• Apoptosis: Programmed cell death, crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis.

Causes of Cell Injury

Cell injury can be triggered by multiple factors:

• Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation)
• Physical trauma (mechanical injury, radiation)
• Chemical agents (toxins, drugs)
• Microbial infections
• Immune reactions (autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity)

Consequences of Cell Injury

The effects of cell injury depend on its type and extent:

• Inflammation: Cellular debris triggers immune responses.
• Tissue dysfunction: Loss of function in affected organs.
• Regeneration vs. fibrosis: Tissue healing or scar formation.

Understanding cell injury is crucial for diagnosing and managing various pathological conditions.