Case Studies: Cell Injury, Inflammation and Repair: Case 2: Morphology of Necrosis

Describe what you see. Pathologists distinguished a "wet" from a "dry" version. Why?

The diagnosis is gangrene.

Another example of dry gangrene. What causes this kind of change?

Can you identify the organ? Which one of our nation's most significant public health problems is associated with this disorder?

The diagnosis is acute pancreatitis. This disorder is associated with binge drinking. The white patches represent areas of fat necrosis.

Can you identify the organ? What are the pale wedge-shaped areas?

The diagnosis is infarction of the liver, most probably caused by occlusion of branches of the hepatic artery.

Can you identify the tissue? What phenomenon is noted by the arrow? What world-wide public health problem is associated with this finding?

The diagnosis is viral hepatitis. The arrow points to a cell undergoing programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Question for Class Discussion

  • List and define five morphologic types of necrosis.  Provide examples of diseases in which these types of necrosis would be expected.

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