| catarrhal inflammation | An inflammatory process that is most frequent in the respiratory tract, but may occur in any mucous membrane, and is characterised by hyperaemia of the mucosal vessels, oedema of the interstitial tissue, enlargement of the secretory epithelial cells (which proliferate and form conspicuous globules of mucus), and an irregular layer of viscous, mucinous material on the surface; as exudation progresses, variable numbers of neutrophils migrate into the affected tissue and are included in the exudate, along with fragments of degenerated and necrotic epithelial cells; such an inflammation may frequently become mucopurulent. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| catarrhal jaundice | An obsolete term for viral hepatitis type A. (05 Mar 2000) |
| catarrhal ophthalmia | A mild form of conjunctivitis with mucopurulent secretion. (05 Mar 2000) |