What is necrosis?

Necrosis refers to a type of cell death that occurs in response to severe injury or damage to the cells, often resulting in cell swelling, loss of membrane integrity, and the eventual breakdown of the cellular structure. This process typically happens due to factors like lack of blood supply (ischemia), toxins, infections, or trauma. Unlike apoptosis, which is a programmed and controlled form of cell death that usually maintains cellular integrity and does not provoke an inflammatory response, necrosis is uncontrolled and often leads to an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissue. In this way, necrosis is characterized by chaotic cellular degeneration and can have significant consequences for the tissue where it occurs. Understanding necrosis is important in the study of various diseases and conditions, as it can impact healing and contribute to further complications in the affected area.