Definition

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.