Coagulative Necrosis
Definition
Cell death in which the architecture of the tissue is preserved as a firm, pale eschar because the denaturing agent precipitates proteins in situ. Produced by strong acids. The self-limiting protein-precipitate barrier reduces depth of penetration at equivalent exposures compared with alkali.
- Cause
- Strong acid exposure
- Appearance
- Firm, pale eschar with preserved tissue architecture
- Mechanism
- Protein denaturation and precipitation in situ
- Depth
- Self-limiting, shallower than alkali burns at equal exposure
Common questions
Why does an acid burn stay shallower than an alkali burn?+
The precipitated protein eschar acts as a physical barrier that blocks further acid penetration into deeper tissue, whereas alkali dissolves and liquefies tissue as it goes, so the injury keeps advancing rather than sealing itself off.
How does coagulative necrosis help distinguish acid from alkali injury at autopsy or examination?+
The firm, well-demarcated, pale eschar of coagulative necrosis contrasts with the soft, slippery, deeply penetrating liquefactive necrosis typical of alkali, so gross appearance alone can point toward the class of caustic agent involved.
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