Definition

Necrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, infection, 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.

Necrosis is often a medical emergency, especially if the area of tissue death is increasing rapidly.

References

Aster JC, Abbas AK, Kumar V, Debnath J, Das A. Cell injury, cell death, and adaptations. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins, Cotran & Kumar Pathologic Basis of Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 2.