PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is a fundamental pathological process that plays a critical role in the body’s defense against tissue injury and infection. Based on duration, cellular composition, and morphological characteristics, inflammation is traditionally classified into acute and chronic forms. This article aims to analyze the pathological anatomical features of acute and chronic inflammation, focusing on their cellular components, vascular changes, and tissue remodeling processes. A descriptive and analytical review of histopathological specimens and classical pathology literature was conducted to compare morphological patterns of different inflammatory types. The findings demonstrate that acute inflammation is characterized by rapid onset, prominent vascular reactions, exudation, and predominance of neutrophils, whereas chronic inflammation is associated with prolonged infiltration of mononuclear cells, progressive tissue destruction, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Granulomatous inflammation represents a distinctive subtype of chronic inflammation with specific morphological features. Understanding these differences is essential for accurate histopathological diagnosis and has significant implications for clinical management and therapeutic decision-making.