GLGY 308 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Silicosis, Asbestosis, Macrophage
28 Dec 2019
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Document Summary
Silicosis: lung fibrosis caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica. Quartz is a very common mineral in the earth"s crust, and is found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It is the main mineral in desert sand and on many beaches. Engulf and try to dissolve the silica crystals, but overtime more and more crystals form in macrophages, which is taken up by alveolar cells, causing formation of scar tissue which accumulates making it harder to breathe. Carry silica into the walls of the lung. This can continue even after exposure has stopped. Silicosis is a lung fibrosis, in which there is growth of hard scar tissue, making it difficult to breathe. Similarities with asbestosis: scar formation (accumulation of excess fibrous connective tissue, process of fibrosis connective tissue), leads to thickening of the lung walls, and causes reduced oxygen supply in the blood. As a consequence, patients suffer from perpetual shortness of breath.
