Caseous necrosis is a medical term that refers to a type of tissue death in which the affected area becomes cheese-like in texture. The spelling of "caseous necrosis" can be explained using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols as /keɪsiəs nɛˈkroʊsɪs/. The first syllable is pronounced as "kay-see-us", followed by the second syllable being "nɛ-kroh-sis". The phonetic transcription helps to clarify the correct pronunciation and spelling of this complex medical term.
Caseous necrosis is a specific type of necrosis, which is the death of cells or tissues, characterized by a distinctive cheese-like appearance and texture. It is named after the Latin word "caseus" meaning cheese. This form of necrosis typically occurs in areas of chronic inflammation, often associated with certain infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.
In caseous necrosis, affected tissue undergoes a series of complex changes. Initially, there is tissue destruction and loss of cellular architecture. Concurrently, there is an accumulation of inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages, which attempt to remove the dead or dying cells. However, unlike other forms of necrosis, the dead tissue cannot be completely digested or removed due to the presence of a thick, amorphous material resembling cottage cheese or yellowish-white pus. This material is a result of the breakdown of cellular contents, proteins, and other debris.
Histologically, caseous necrosis is characterized by the presence of granulomas, which are structures formed by a collection of immune cells around the necrotic area. These granulomas are commonly observed in the lung tissue affected by tuberculosis, forming distinctive lesions known as tubercles. The caseous necrosis within these tubercles contributes to the spread of the infectious agents.
In conclusion, caseous necrosis refers to a form of tissue death characterized by the presence of a cheesy or caseous material. It is associated with chronic inflammation, particularly in the context of certain infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, and is characterized by the formation of granulomas.
N. With the formation of a cheesy material such as occurs in tuberculosis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "caseous" comes from the Latin word "caseus" which means "cheese". "Necrosis" is derived from the Greek word "nekros" meaning "dead body" or "corpse". In medical terminology, "caseous necrosis" refers to a specific type of tissue death where the affected tissue becomes soft and cheese-like in appearance and consistency. The term is often used to describe a specific type of cellular death seen in tuberculosis and some fungal infections.