A classification of the mechanisms producing pathological tissue changes

Abstract

The objectives are to present a classification of mechanisms which can produce pathological changes in body tissues and fluids, as well as to clarify and define the term biocorrosion, which has had a singular use in engineering. Considering the emerging field of biomedical engineering, it is essential to use precise definitions in the lexicons of engineering, bioengineering and related sciences such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. The mechanisms of stress, friction and biocorrosion and their pathological effects on tissues are described. Biocorrosion refers to the chemical, biochemical and electrochemical changes by degradation or induced growth of living body tissues and fluids. Various agents which can affect living tissues causing biocorrosion are enumerated which support the necessity and justify the use of this encompassing and more precise definition of biocorrosion. A distinction is made between the mechanisms of corrosion and biocorrosion.

• Abfraction
• bacterial
• biochemical
• biocorrosion

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Martin Broder, MD Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and former Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Baystate Medical Center; David J. Zegarelli, DDS Professor of Oral Pathology at Columbia University School of Dental Medicine and Director of Oral Pathology; Joren C. Madsen, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery, Harvard University Medical School, Director, MGH Transplant Center, Co-Director, Transplantation Biology Research Center, Distinguished Scholar in Cardiac Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, and Antonello M. Messina, DDS, Department of Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy for their counsel, editorial comments and support of this publication.