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Necrosis

Necrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necrosis cannot be reversed.

When large areas of tissue die due to a lack of blood supply, the condition is called gangrene.

References

Oakes SA. Cell injury, cell death, and adaptations. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier;2021:chap 2.

  • Meningococcemia on the calves - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) may occur. The tissue in areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the person survives, the areas heal with scarring.

    Meningococcemia on the calves

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia on the leg - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. There is usually bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura), and the tissue in these areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring. This picture demonstrates more hemorrhage and little tissue death.

    Meningococcemia on the leg

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia associated purpura - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) typically occurs and the tissue may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring.

    Meningococcemia associated purpura

    illustration

  • Necrosis of the toes - illustration

    Necrosis is death of a portion of tissue or an organ in the body. Tissue death occurs when there is not enough blood supplied to the area, whether from trauma, radiation, or chemicals. Once necrosis is confirmed, it is not reversible.

    Necrosis of the toes

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia on the calves - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) may occur. The tissue in areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the person survives, the areas heal with scarring.

    Meningococcemia on the calves

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia on the leg - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. There is usually bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura), and the tissue in these areas may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring. This picture demonstrates more hemorrhage and little tissue death.

    Meningococcemia on the leg

    illustration

  • Meningococcemia associated purpura - illustration

    Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, invades the blood stream. Bleeding into the skin (petechiae and purpura) typically occurs and the tissue may die (become necrotic or gangrenous). If the patient survives, the areas heal with scarring.

    Meningococcemia associated purpura

    illustration

  • Necrosis of the toes - illustration

    Necrosis is death of a portion of tissue or an organ in the body. Tissue death occurs when there is not enough blood supplied to the area, whether from trauma, radiation, or chemicals. Once necrosis is confirmed, it is not reversible.

    Necrosis of the toes

    illustration


Review Date: 9/18/2023

Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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