Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

What is the term for an accumulation of pus in a dead space between tissues that contains bacteria, white blood cells, and dead tissue?

1. Abscess

2. Infection

3. Lesion

4. Hemorrhage

The correct answer is: Abscess

An accumulation of pus in a dead space between tissues is referred to as an abscess. An abscess forms as a result of the body’s immune response to an infection, where bacteria, white blood cells (specifically neutrophils), and necrotic tissue accumulate in the affected area. The pus is essentially a mixture of live and dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, all of which have resulted from the inflammatory process as the body attempts to isolate and eliminate the infection. In contrast, infection is a broader term that encompasses any invasion of the body by microorganisms, which may or may not lead to the formation of pus or an abscess. A lesion generally refers to any abnormal tissue change or damage, which is not specific to pus or infection, and hemorrhage pertains to the escape of blood from the circulatory system, which does not relate to the collection of pus and associated inflammatory responses. An understanding of these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the specific nature of clinical conditions encountered in veterinary practice.