Which term describes morphological changes indicating cell death?

Which term describes morphological changes indicating cell death?

• A. Necrosis
• B. Ischemia
• C. Maceration
• D. Seclusion

Answer: (A)

Morphological changes indicating cell death are described as necrosis. This term captures irreversible injury where cells lose membrane integrity, swell, and release their contents, with nuclear changes such as pyknosis, followed by karyorrhexis and karyolysis, and the tissue often mounts an inflammatory response to clear the debris. Ischemia is the lack of blood flow that can lead to necrosis but is not the structural change itself. Maceration refers to tissue softening and breakdown due to moisture, not a direct marker of cell death. Seclusion isn’t a term used to describe tissue pathology.

Morphological changes indicating cell death are described as necrosis. This term captures irreversible injury where cells lose membrane integrity, swell, and release their contents, with nuclear changes such as pyknosis, followed by karyorrhexis and karyolysis, and the tissue often mounts an inflammatory response to clear the debris. Ischemia is the lack of blood flow that can lead to necrosis but is not the structural change itself. Maceration refers to tissue softening and breakdown due to moisture, not a direct marker of cell death. Seclusion isn’t a term used to describe tissue pathology.