Necrosis
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.
Necrosis of the toes - illustration
Necrosis is death of a portion of tissue or an organ in the body. Tissue death occurs when there is not enough blood supplied to the area, whether from trauma, radiation, or chemicals. Once necrosis is confirmed, it is not reversible.
Necrosis of the toes
illustration
Necrosis of the toes - illustration
Necrosis is death of a portion of tissue or an organ in the body. Tissue death occurs when there is not enough blood supplied to the area, whether from trauma, radiation, or chemicals. Once necrosis is confirmed, it is not reversible.
Necrosis of the toes
illustration
Review Date: 7/3/2025
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology and Health Care Ethics, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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