Karyolysis

File:Nuclear changes.jpg

Morphological characteristics of karyolysis and other forms of nuclear destruction.

Karyolysis (from Greek κάρυον karyon, "kernel, seed or nucleus", and λύσις lysis from λύειν lyein, "to separate") is the complete dissolution of the chromatin of a dying cell due to the enzymatic degradation by endonucleases. The whole cell will eventually stain uniformly with eosin after karyolysis. It is usually associated with karyorrhexis and occurs mainly as a result of necrosis, while in apoptosis after karyorrhexis the nucleus usually dissolves into apoptotic bodies.

Additional images

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  Micrograph showing karyolysis and contraction band necrosis in an individual that had a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

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  Micrograph showing karyolysis and contraction band necrosis (left of image) and ischemic (nucleated) cardiac myocytes (right of image) in an individual that had a myocardial infarction.

See also

• Apoptosis
• Necrosis
• Pyknosis
• Karyorrhexis