Veterinary Pathology - Cell Degeneration

Introduction

This practical is concerned with some of the histologically observable changes which indicate sublethal cellular injury or degeneration. Sublethal injury may result in the intracellular accumulation of substances such as fat, glycogen or water intracellularly. In some degenerative disorders, there may be extracellular deposition of abnormal substrates, especially proteins. These deposits in turn may cause dysfunction of adjacent cells.

The carbon tetrachloride component of this practical demonstrates sublethal injury to liver cells as a result of exposure to a cellular toxin. Fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes is a consequence of toxic injury to endoplasmic reticulum and resultant impairment of protein synthesis.

Cases

Carbontetrachloride

Review Questions