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karyorrhexis

Karyorrhexis, also spelled karyorhexis, is a morphological change seen in cells undergoing death, characterized by fragmentation of the nucleus into dense, irregular fragments. It follows pyknosis in the sequence of nuclear changes and can accompany or precede karyolysis, depending on the cell’s fate. The nuclear envelope often ruptures and chromatin is cleaved by endonucleases, producing clumps or granules of intensely staining material that may appear as crescent- or irregular-shaped fragments scattered within the cell.

In histology, karyorrhexis presents as scattered nuclear debris within dying cells. The fragments may be basophilic

Clinical and diagnostic relevance: karyorrhexis signals irreversible cellular injury and is observed in both necrosis and

See also: apoptosis, necrosis, pyknosis, karyolysis.

or
eosinophilic
depending
on
the
stain
and
the
state
of
the
chromatin.
The
appearance
can
vary
with
the
timing
of
fixation
and
the
mode
of
cell
death.
apoptosis,
though
its
pattern
and
timing
differ
between
these
processes.
It
is
commonly
seen
in
ischemic
injury,
inflammatory
conditions,
and
various
forms
of
tissue
necrosis.
In
biopsy
interpretation,
distinguishing
karyorrhexis
from
karyolysis
and
pyknosis
helps
estimate
the
stage
and
mechanism
of
cell
death.