The word for what scientists call programmed cell death, or cellular suicide. This is a normal -- rather altruistic! -- thing for a cell to do, as it purposefully switches on some special genes that then alter its metabolism to dismantle itself and die, for the greater good of the tissue or organ that it's a part of. Pathologists distinguish apoptosis from necrosis. Examples of apoptosis include follicular atresia.

The process by which a primary follicle or a tertiary follicle stops growing, leading to disappearance (apoptosis) of its follicle cells and the oocyte, or egg, they contain. Such a follicle is called an atretic follicle.

The word pathologists use when there is death of part or all of a tissue or organ due to an outside factor, such as cutting off the blood supply. If apoptosis is regarded as cellular suicide, then necrosis could be called cellular murder. Important examples include aseptic necrosis of the femoral head and the loss of an ovary from untreated torsion.