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.

Literally, noninfective death of the bone tissue of the top end of the thigh bone (where it forms the hip joint). A rare but serious complication from continued high dosages of cortisone-like drugs, including cortisone, prednisone and prednisolone, sometimes used for treating, for example, sperm antibodies.

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.

Literally, an absence of nutrition, but in particular the result of such lack in a tissue, which shrinks and loses its normal function. For examples, see endometrial atrophy and follicular atresia. Sometimes the end-result of necrosis.

Twisting of an organ on its vascular pedicle, risking necrosis. Can happen to the testis in boys, especially after an injury to the scrotum, or to the ovary and fallopian tube, either spontaneously during adolescence or when enlargement from superovulation has produced ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). An operation to untwist it can save the affected organ, if carried out quickly enough.