7. Lung - Chronic Inflammation
This image is not from the patient described in the case, but is
provided to illustrate features that are characteristic of chronic
inflammation: infiltration by mononuclear cells, fibrosis, and tissue
destruction. The mononuclear cells -- in this case, mainly
lymphocytes -- have aggregated to form a lymphoid nodule. They are
also scattered in the areas of fibrosis. The fibrous tissue has
replaced the normal lung parenchyma that has been destroyed. Only a
few alveolar spaces separated by markedly fibrotic septa remain. The
normal lung architecture is completely destroyed. How do these tissue
changes differ from those in acute inflammation?
Answer
