TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Introduction A1 - Chandrasoma, Parakrama A1 - Taylor, Clive R. PY - 1998 T2 - Concise Pathology, 3e AB - All tissues in the body are composed of parenchymal cells, which are specialized to perform the functions of that particular tissue, and interstitial connective tissue elements, which act as the supporting framework of the tissue (Figure I-1). Human disease results from the action of various injurious agents on tissues. Injurious agents may act on parenchymal cells or interstitial connective tissue, causing biochemical or structural damage. Biochemical damage may result in abnormal function and disease without producing any structural alteration in tissue. Structural damage may sometimes be recognized only by microscopic examination of the tissue. In parenchymal cells, it results either in reversible changes short of cell death (cell degeneration) or in irreversible cell death (necrosis). These are discussed in Chapter 1: Cell Degeneration & Necrosis. Interstitial tissue damage results in interstitial abnormalities (Chapter 2: Abnormalities of Interstitial Tissues). Parenchymal cell damage may result from interstitial abnormalities and vice versa. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/25 UR - accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=193973 ER -