Cell Death and Necrosis Mechanisms

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding cellular stress, mechanisms of cell death, types of necrosis, and associated histological characteristics.

What happens to a cell or organ under stress when stress increases?

It may undergo growth adaptations such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy.

What occurs when stress on a cell decreases?

Atrophy occurs.

What is anaplasia?

A change in stress resulting in a reversion to a less differentiated cell type.

What is the initial stage of cellular injury called?

Reversible cellular injury.

What is irreversible cell injury also known as?

Cell death.

What is the morphologic hallmark of cell death?

Loss of the nucleus.

What are the three phases of loss of the nucleus?

Pyknosis, karyorrhexis, and karyolysis.

What is necrosis?

Death of a large group of cells, typically followed by acute inflammation.

What distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?

Apoptosis is cellular suicide, involving single cells or small groups with little tissue reaction.

What are coagulative necrosis characteristics?

Necrotic tissue that is firm, retaining shape while losing nuclei.

What is a classic circumstance in which coagulative necrosis occurs?

Ischemic infarction.

What is the appearance of infarcted tissue in coagulative necrosis?

Wedge-shaped and pale.

What does liquefactive necrosis involve?

Necrotic tissue that becomes liquefied.

What is caseous necrosis associated with?

Fungal infections and tuberculosis.

What is fat necrosis?

Necrosis of adipose tissue with a classic chalky white appearance.

What are some common causes of fat necrosis?

Trauma to fat or pancreatitis damage.

What is the term for the release of fatty acids during fat necrosis?

Saponification.

What is dystrophic calcification?

Calcium deposition in dead or dying tissue with normal serum calcium and phosphate levels.

What is metastatic calcification?

Calcium deposition that occurs due to elevated serum calcium or phosphate levels.