Pathology: Types of Necrosis

The study of disease and suffering, bridging clinical practice and basic science.

An abnormal condition affecting the structure or function of living organisms, leading to negative consequences.

Cell injury occurs when cells are stressed or severely damaged beyond their ability to adapt.

Physical forces like trauma, temperature extremes, radiation, and electric shocks can directly damage cells.

Harmful chemicals, drugs, poisons, pollutants, and even excess oxygen can lead to cell injury.

Infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, and fungi can invade and damage cells, leading to illness.

Immune responses can sometimes be harmful, causing cell injury through allergic reactions or autoimmune diseases.

Oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, can cause severe cell injury by limiting energy production through aerobic respiration.

A form of cell death characterized by the breakdown of cell structures by enzymes, leaving behind a viscous liquid mass.

A common type of necrosis where the cell structure is preserved but the internal components are denatured. The process is often caused by a lack of blood supply.

A type of necrosis characterized by a cheesy, crumbly appearance. It is often associated with tuberculosis infections.

A form of necrosis where the cells are damaged by enzymes and are unable to function properly. The cell membrane is also compromised, leading to leakage of cellular contents.

A type of cell injury where the damage is reversible. Cells can recover if the stressor is removed, and the damage is not too severe.

A type of cell injury where the cell damage is extensive and cannot be repaired. The cell undergoes necrosis and dies.

A depletion of ATP in the cell, a vital energy source. This can occur due to various reasons including insufficient oxygen supply, damage to the mitochondria, or disruption in metabolic processes.

Damage to the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, can lead to a decrease in ATP production, disruption of oxidative phosphorylation, and release of harmful substances, contributing to cell injury.

An increase in the size of cells due to increased functional demand or specific hormonal stimulation.

A decrease in the size of an organ or tissue due to a decrease in cell size and number.

A reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by another adult cell type.

A type of atrophy caused by prolonged disuse, immobilization, or lack of movement.

A type of atrophy caused by loss of nerve supply.

A type of atrophy caused by inadequate blood supply.

A type of atrophy caused by lack of nutrients.

A type of atrophy caused by aging.

A form of necrosis primarily affecting fat cells, often caused by the release of pancreatic lipase.

A distinct pattern of necrosis seen in arteries affected by vasculitis or hypertension, where fibrin deposits in the damaged vessel wall.

Nuclear condensation during cell death, making the nucleus smaller and denser.

Fragmentation of the nucleus into smaller pieces during cell death.

Dissolution or fading of the nucleus during cell death.

A type of programmed cell death that is controlled and essential for normal development and tissue homeostasis.

The process of involution, regression, or shedding of hormone-dependent tissues after the hormone is withdrawn or its levels decrease.

A cell's ability to adjust its structure and function in response to different stimuli, be it normal physiological demands or harmful environmental changes.

An increase in the number of cells within a tissue or organ, resulting in its increased volume.

Hyperplasia driven by normal physiological processes, such as hormonal changes during pregnancy or the repair of damaged tissues.

Hyperplasia triggered by excessive stimulation, often due to abnormal hormonal signals or growth factors, leading to an overgrowth of cells.

An increase in the size of individual cells, leading to an increase in the size of the organ without an increase in cell number.

The process of apoptosis that originates within the cell itself, often triggered by factors like DNA damage or lack of growth factors.

The process of apoptosis that is triggered by external signals, such as the binding of death receptors on the cell surface.

Apoptotic bodies are small, membrane-bound fragments of a cell that are formed during apoptosis. They contain compacted cell components and are eventually cleared by phagocytic cells.

A type of cellular adaptation where one mature cell type is replaced by another, often in response to stress or chronic irritation.

The process of conversion from normal ciliated columnar epithelial cells of trachea and bronchi to squamous epithelium, often observed in habitual smokers.

A condition where the normal squamous epithelium lining the lower esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium, often associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The formation of cartilage, bone, or adipose tissue within tissues that normally don't contain these elements, a form of metaplasia within connective tissues.

A condition characterized by the formation of bone within muscle tissue, often after trauma, a specific example of connective tissue metaplasia.

Persistent factors that trigger metaplasia can, over time, increase the risk of malignant transformation within the metaplastic epithelium.

Signals like cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components play critical roles in triggering the genetic reprogramming that drives metaplasia.

Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into different cell types, and their reprogramming is crucial for metaplastic change.

Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen, which disrupts aerobic respiration, leading to energy depletion and cell damage.

Ischemia is a lack of blood supply, which deprives tissues of oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal. This can lead to more severe and rapid cell injury than hypoxia alone.

Genetic derangements can lead to cell injury by causing abnormal protein production, faulty metabolic pathways, or weakened cellular structures.

Reversible cell injury is damage that can be repaired if the stressor is removed. Cells can return to normal functionality.

Irreversible cell injury is damage that is too extensive to be repaired. The cell undergoes necrosis and dies.

ATP depletion is a decrease in cellular energy production, which can occur due to hypoxia, mitochondrial damage, or disruption of metabolic pathways. This can lead to impaired cell function and damage.

Mitochondrial damage can lead to decreased ATP production, release of harmful substances, and disruption of cell signaling pathways, contributing to cell injury.

A reduction in the size of cells, leading to a decrease in the size of the organ. This can happen due to decreased workload, inadequate nutrition, or aging.

A type of atrophy that occurs due to decreased workload, often seen in immobilized limbs. The muscle fibers shrink from lack of use.

A type of atrophy caused by loss of nerve supply, preventing the muscle from receiving signals to contract.

A type of atrophy caused by inadequate blood supply, depriving cells of oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell shrinkage.

A type of atrophy caused by lack of nutrients, often seen in conditions like malnutrition or starvation.

A type of atrophy associated with aging, where cells naturally shrink and lose function over time.

Increase in calcium levels inside the cell, leading to cell damage.

Harmful molecules that can damage cells by damaging their components like proteins and DNA.

Damage to the cell membrane, disrupting its barrier function and leading to cell death.