What are the morphologic changes in cell injury.

Morphologic changes in reversible cell injury:

Light microscopy:

Cellular swelling is the first manifestation of almost all forms of injury to cells. It causes some pallor, increased turgor, and increase in weight of the organ. On microscopic examination, small clear vacuoles may be seen within the cytoplasm; these represent distended and pinched-off segments of the ER. This pattern of nonlethal injury is sometimes called hydropic change or vacuolar degeneration. Cells may also show increased eosinophilic staining, which becomes much more pronounced with progression to necrosis. 

The ultrastructural changes of reversible cell injury include: 

1.Plasma membrane alterations, such as blebbing, blunting, and loss of microvilli 

2.Mitochondrial changes, including swelling and the appearance of small amorphous densities 

3.Dilation of the ER, with detachment of polysomes; intracytoplasmic myelin  figures may be present 

4.Nuclear alterations, with disaggregation of granular and fibrillar elements.