Dead cells can look different depending on the type of cell death they undergo. However, one specific appearance is described in the reference provided:
Caseous Necrosis
One particular type of cell death, known as caseous necrosis, gives dead cells a very distinctive appearance.
- White and Soft: In caseous necrosis, dead cells look white and soft.
- Cheese-like Appearance: They are often described as having a cheese-like texture and appearance, with the term "caseous" actually meaning "cheese-like". This is due to the accumulation of coagulated proteins and lipids in the affected area.
Example
- Tuberculosis: Caseous necrosis is uniquely associated with tuberculosis, an infectious lung disease. This type of cell death is a characteristic feature of granulomas found in tuberculosis infections.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | White |
| Texture | Soft, cheese-like |
| Medical Context | Often seen in tuberculosis |
Therefore, while dead cells can have many different looks, in caseous necrosis, they notably appear white, soft and cheese-like.
