<unk>  (Latin,<unk>  to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue.<unk>  is not a synonym for infection. Even in cases where<unk>  is caused by infection it is incorrect to use the terms as synonyms: infection is caused by an exogenous pathogen, while<unk>  is the response of the organism to the pathogen.
In the absence of<unk> , wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the organism. However,<unk>  which runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is for this reason that<unk>  is normally tightly regulated by the body.<unk>  can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute<unk>  is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A cascade of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue. Prolonged<unk> , known as chronic<unk> , leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells which are present at the site of<unk>  and is characterised by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.
Inflammation
Neoplasia
Anaplerotic reactions
Swelling 
Thrombosis
Injection fibrosis
Wasting
Autoimmunity