58. Silicosis: Difference between revisions

'''Causes''': Silica dust inhalation

Several occupations are associated with exposure to silica dust, like miners and stone cutters. When these people inhale the dust, it will be eaten by alveolar macrophages. However, because the silica dust is inorganic can’t the macrophages break it down. The macrophages respond by producing cytokines that recruit fibroblasts. Progressive fibrosis occurs. In this preparation are silicotic nodules not ''macroscopically'' visible in the lung parenchyme, however histology of the lung would definitely show those nodules. However, we can see silicotic nodules as greyish dots inside the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. Anthracosis in this preparation is also severe, because workers that are exposed to silica crystals are also exposed to high amounts of coal and carbon dust.[[File:Silicosis prep side.jpg|center|thumb|Silicosis prep side]]