Necrosis

Necrosis refers to the microscopically or macroscopically visible, pathological destruction (decay) of individual cells (single cell necrosis), cell clusters or entire tissue areas or limbs. Causes are toxins, oxygen deficiency, frostbite, burns, radioactivity, injuries or infections with pathogens.

Depending on the morphological nature and aspect of the necrotic tissue, different forms of necrosis are distinguished:

• Coagulation necrosis
• caseating necrosis
• Gangrene
• Colliquative necrosis
• Fatty tissue necrosis
• Fibrinoid necrosis
• Hemorrhagic necrosis

If a cell disintegrates, cell contents enter the surrounding tissue and trigger an inflammatory reaction. Necrosis is particularly common in chronic wounds, such as decubitus ulcers or diabetic foot. If the tissue cells are necrotic, this process can no longer be reversed.

Apoptosis must be distinguished from necrosis. This refers to the physiological, controlled death of individual cells.