necrosis

Definition

The premature death of cells and tissue in your body while you're still alive—basically localized tissue death that happens when blood flow gets cut off or cells get poisoned. The reason gangrene looks exactly as horrifying as it sounds.

Example Usage

The prolonged tourniquet caused tissue necrosis, which is what happens when body parts don't get oxygen for too long and stage a dramatic death scene.

Origin

From Greek 'nekrosis' meaning 'death' or 'killing,' used medically since 17th century

Fun Fact

Necrotic tissue smells distinctly awful because it's literally rotting while attached to you—a smell that haunts medical professionals' nightmares.

Source: Pathology terminology

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