What is the term for the death of tissue?

The term for the death of tissue is necrosis. Necrosis refers specifically to the process in which cells in a particular area of tissue die due to factors such as injury, infection, or a lack of blood supply. This can lead to a loss of function in that area and may trigger inflammatory responses in the surrounding tissues. Necrosis is characterized by the breakdown of cellular structures and is typically considered an uncontrolled and pathological process.

In contrast, apoptosis refers to programmed cell death, which is a normal and controlled process that allows for the removal of damaged or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation. Ischemia, on the other hand, denotes a reduction in blood supply to tissues, which can result in necrosis but does not represent tissue death itself. Atrophy describes the decrease in cell size or tissue mass due to disuse, aging, or disease, rather than cell death. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately describing and diagnosing tissue conditions in medical practice.