EN
The study discusses the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the pathology of cumulative or storage diseases and in proliferative nonneoplastic lesions. The latter include keloid, nodular fascitis, generalised fibromatosis and gingival elephantiasis (fibrous hyperplasia of the gums). ECM also occurs at the sites where various substances released by the injured cells cumulate. The lesions result from degeneration (degeneration reflecting disturbed protein turnover, calcareous degeneration, mucoid degeneration, carbohydrate thesauroses and degeneration reflecting disturbed turnover of purines), disturbed circulation (oedema, thrombosis) and necrosis.