Word parts
What it means
Tissue that has died, usually because it lost its blood supply or was badly injured or infected. Dead tissue in a wound looks black, brown, gray or yellow, and may be hard and dry (eschar) or soft and stringy (slough). Some IV drugs that leak out of the vein can also cause necrosis of the skin around the site. Necrosis caused by a lack of blood flow is infarctionin-FARK-shunDeath of an area of tissue (an infarct) because its blood supply has been cut off.Full entry .
For the nurse
Describe dead tissue in a wound by color, amount and odor. Necrotic tissue slows healing and usually needs to be removed (debrided) by the wound care team.
In a chart
"Heel wound with 2 cm area of black necrotic tissue; wound care consulted."
At a glance
| Spanish | necrosis |
|---|---|
| Also written | necrotic |
Related terms
-osis
A word ending that means an abnormal condition or process, or an increase.
ulcer
An open sore where the skin or the lining of an organ has broken down.
infarction
Death of an area of tissue (an infarct) because its blood supply has been cut off.
ischemia
Too little blood flow to a part of the body, so the tissue does not get enough oxygen.