Degeneration is ... Degeneration - examples

In the human body, there are many processes that are carried out at the cellular level. Gradually they lead to global changes in tissues and become visible to the naked eye. On this principle, such phenomena as aging of the skin and organs, wound healing, destruction of the epithelium, etc. are built. One such process is degeneration. It manifests itself in all living organisms along with other natural changes. Degeneration is the process of the gradual destruction or degeneration of normal tissues, which leads to their functional insufficiency or death. Similar changes are made in all organs throughout the life of a person. Such biological concepts as "aromorphosis", "idioadaptation", "degeneration" are known to science from ancient times. They are a kind of synonym, but each of the processes is necessary for the life of the organism.

Physiological degeneration is what?

Under normal conditions, due to degeneration, the old cover epithelium is replaced with a new one (the upper layer of the skin). It promotes the atrophy of organs and systems that appeared in embryonic development and have already fulfilled their function at the time of birth. Degeneration is necessary during the child's growth period, while its value is great for all body systems. For example, with ossification of the human skeleton, degeneration (destruction) of the cartilaginous tissue is necessary. The epidermis has several parts, the upper one - the stratum corneum. During life, he undergoes physiological degeneration many times, as a result of which the skin is constantly renewed. Another example is the gradual atrophy that occurs in the mammary glands, when lactation should stop.

The pathological process is like? Effects

The process of tissue destruction is the leading mechanism of many diseases. Pathological degeneration is a change in normal tissues to other tissues that do not belong to this organ. Such a process can be the result of a violation of fat, protein, carbohydrate metabolism. The replacement of some cell elements with others can occur in any organ or tissue. For example, fatty degeneration. Normally, this process occurs in the subcutaneous tissue and mammary glands, but in pathology occurs in other tissues, including the nervous one. As a result, there is a decrease in the functions of organs until their complete absence. With degenerative changes in nerve fibers, impulses cease to reach the brain, and vice versa, return to the tissues. This can lead to loss of sensitivity, organ failure, atrophic processes. Excess carbohydrates are also a consequence of degeneration. Thus there is a widespread disease - a diabetes which has many complications.

What is the difference between cystic degeneration?

This kind of degenerative change implies the appearance in the organs of a multitude of cavities of cysts filled with liquid contents. They can appear in various tissues, but are most often formed in the female genital organs - the ovaries. This disease is called the Stein-Levental Syndrome. Thanks to these two scientists (Stein and Leventhal), cystic degeneration of the ovaries was discovered. The causes of this syndrome remain unknown until the present time, however, there is an assumption that the disease is hereditary. It manifests itself in the period of puberty of the girl, the main symptom is the absence of menstruation. The mechanism of the disease consists in the formation of multiple ovarian cysts, which have a dense capsule and contribute to the disruption of the growth and maturation of the follicles, thereby disrupting the release of the egg.

Clinical picture and treatment of Stein-Levental syndrome

In addition to the absence of menstrual flow in adolescents, degeneration is an ailment that can be manifested by other cycle disorders. For example, metrorrhagia - periodic hemorrhages from the genital tract, which are not associated with ovulatory changes in the female body. If Stein-Leventhal syndrome arose at a later age, then its main manifestations are infertility. In this case, it can occur in previously pregnant women and give birth to women. In addition, the disease manifests a pronounced hypertrichosis - increased hair on the face and body of patients. In addition to this symptom, signs of virilization are not available, women have normal sexual characteristics, timbre of voice, type of constitution. Nervousness in Stein-Leventhal syndrome is associated with impaired fertility. Treatment of the disease consists in a wedge-shaped resection of the ovaries, due to which the follicles begin to ripen and produce eggs, thereby restoring the ability to procreate.

Degenerative changes of the eye

Thanks to the organ of vision, living beings have the ability to see the world around them. With pathological changes, this function is violated until complete blindness. Diseases of the eye can be localized in various of its structures: the cornea, the iris, the vitreous, the lens, the vessels, etc. The most serious pathologies are changes occurring in the retina and optic nerve. Since these structures are firmly connected with the brain, their atrophy leads to irreversible blindness. Degeneration of the retina is a disease with unknown etiology. It manifests itself in the form of age-related dystrophy or retinitis, which can appear in any period of life. Degeneration - examples: pigment and pigmentless forms, one-sided, paravenous, central and peripheral pathologies.

Pathogenesis of pigmentary degeneration of the retina

The causes of the appearance of degenerative changes in the eye remain unknown, but it is believed that they are hereditary in nature and can be transmitted with both a dominant and a recessive gene. The main pathological mechanism of the disease is the dystrophy of rods and cones located on the retina. Vascular disorders of the eye consist in the proliferation of the adventitial membrane and the thickening of the endothelium. Nerve fibers of the organ of vision, too, tend to proliferate and gradually replace the retina layer, first the wands are forced out, and in the case of far-reaching process, the cones. In case of degeneration, the pigment spreads unevenly along the fundus, as a result, some areas are deprived of it, and others - on the contrary.

Manifestation of pigment degeneration

Degeneration of the retina is manifested gradually. Most often it is noticed in childhood or adolescence. The first symptom of this pathology is hemorrhagia, a vision obstruction in the twilight light. This manifestation may be the only one for several years, and changes in ophthalmoscopy will not be observed. The next stage of the disease is the appearance of small areas of the pigment in the study of the fundus. These inclusions are first noticeable only at the periphery, later they are directed to the center of the mesh shell. The vessels of the fundus are gradually narrowing, they become noticeable at the sites of depigmentation. Another late symptom is scotoma in the form of a ring - a semicircular narrowing of the field of vision. The final stage of degeneration is its complications, which include secondary cataracts, glaucoma and opacification of the vitreous. All these processes lead to a decrease in vision, and sometimes to complete blindness.

Diagnosis of degeneration

Suspected degeneration is possible with a decrease in the function of organs, which comes gradually. With polycystic changes in the ovaries and the presence of a characteristic clinical picture, it is necessary to perform a resection of the organ with subsequent histological and cytological studies, where changes occurring at the cellular level will be seen. Confirm the degeneration of the retina is possible for certain complaints of the patient and ophthalmoscopy. The method of examining the fundus allows you to see pigment inclusions, altered vessels, atrophy of the optic nerve. Another method is the electroretinogram. On it, during degeneration, one can observe the attenuation of waves or their complete disappearance.

Drug treatment for retinal degeneration

Treatment of this pathology is aimed at stopping or slowing down the progression of degenerative changes. This can be achieved with the reception of vasodilators: "Complamine", "Nighexin", nicotinic acid. In addition, electrophoresis with spasmolytics is used: drotaverin, papaverine. Use the vitamins of group B. In addition to medicines, surgical treatment is practiced - the transplantation of muscle fibers onto the retina in order to improve blood circulation. Despite the progression of the disease, if the regime is observed, it can be significantly extended.