Veterinary Pathology - Necrosis

Introduction

Apoptosis:

'Programmed cell death'
This is a form of cell death and dissolution that is caused by the invoking of preprogrammed events in the cell which lead to self destruction. The cell sets in motion a series of self digestive and disruptive processes which cause the nuceus to undergo karyrrhexis, the cytoplasm to condense and fragment, phagocytosis by macrophages but without a noticeable inflammatory reaction. The microscopically visible packages formed by fragmenting apoptotic cells are known as apoptotic bodies. Low power microscopy shows single or small groups of necrotic, fragmented cells without an obvious inciting cause. This form of cell culling is important in the regression and shrinking of organs (eg. thymus), but also commmonly occurs in neoplasms and in aging cell populations.

Haematoxylin & Eosin (x400)

In this section of lymph node several cells may be seen which are displaying signs of fragmentation in the absence of an inflammatory reaction. This is consistent with apoptosis.

Cases

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