Tissue damage is injury, destruction, or disruption of the normal structure or function of cells and tissues.
Tissue damage can result from many causes, including infection, inflammation, physical injury, reduced blood supply, toxins, radiation, immune reactions, or abnormal growth. The extent and consequences depend on the tissue involved, the cause, and how long the damaging process continues.
The body can repair some forms of tissue damage, but severe or prolonged injury may result in scarring, loss of function, or permanent structural changes.
QUICK FACT
Tissue damage does not necessarily mean that an entire organ has been permanently injured. Some tissues can repair themselves substantially after injury.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Inflammation: Inflammation is a biological response to injury or other threats; it can contribute to tissue damage but is not itself synonymous with tissue damage.
SEE ALSO
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Ischemia
- Pathological
- Stress response