Inflammation a physiologic reaction to an injury or insult, resulting in typical symptoms e.g. swelling, redness, heat, pain and loss of function.

The first 4 symptoms were already described during the ancient roman times (by Celsus, 25 b. Chr.–50 a. Chr.). On a microscopic level, the symptoms originate from opening and widening of the blood vessels, making them more permeable and allowing plasma fluid to enter the tissues, an influx of white blood cells to the tissues, the release of factors that propagate inflammation and cause pain and -to some extent- further tissue damage.

After a certain point, inflammation is resolved resulting in tissue repair without or with scar formation. Inflammation is important to resolve infections or injuries, yet uncontrolled inflammation can lead to chronic diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or atherosclerosis. There is increasing evidence that inflammation also underlies the pathology of thrombosis.