IN TEXTBOOKS on general pathology, considerable space is devoted to the study of the death of tissues. However, in the teaching of the special pathology of the eye, disease from this standpoint fails to receive the attention that its frequency and extent warrant.
In accordance with the nomenclature of general pathology, the term necrosis means the local death of cells or of tissues in an organ, notwithstanding the loss of which the organ as a whole continues to live.
Intimately associated with necrosis are the conditions of degeneration, atrophy and gangrene. Degeneration signifies an alteration in the metabolism of the cells that compose a tissue, but not to such an extent as actually to cause the death of the cells. Atrophy means acquired diminution in the size of cells or of tissues after maturity has been attained. Degenerated or atrophic tissue may be converted into necrotic tissue. Gangrene signifies necrosis