Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. This is a solid double membrane around the heart. The innermost layer is fused with the heart muscle. The pericardium protects the heart from external influences and keeps the heart in place. Between the two layers of the pericardium, there is a small amount of clear liquid, which makes it easy for the layers to slide past each other (like two glass plates slide easily over each other with water in between).
In acute pericarditis, complaints such as severe pain in the chest area can occur in the beginning. The pericardium contains many nerves. The friction between the membranes of the inflamed pericardium causes severe pain. The pain increases when you move, breathe in, or lie flat.
The causes of pericarditis are:
• virus infection (for example after flu or cold)
• open heart surgery
• heart attack
• bacterial infection (rare)
• other illnesses
Sometimes the cause remains unknown.
In the pictures, we see part of the heart muscle tissue (myocardium) on the left, with adipose (fat) tissue to the right. On its right side, numerous leukocytes, infiltrated as a result of the inflammation are visible.
Note: the prepared slide, a collector’s item, is 60 years old.
With thanks to Herbert Spoon, Doctor of Medicine.
© www.willemsmicroscope.com
No comments:
Post a Comment