Karyorrhexis

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Karyorrhexis is the fragmentation of the nucleus of a cell undergoing programmed cell death (see Naoufal Zamzami and Guido Kroemer: "Apoptosis: Condensed matter in cell death", Nature Vol. 401 p. 127, 9 September. 1999 [1]).

It is usually preceded by pyknosis (clumping and condensation of chromatin in the nucleus).

[edit] See also

Karyorrhexis is a morphological nuclear change observed in cells undergoing necrosis. It specifically describes the fragmentation of a pyknotic or partially pyknotic nucleus. Karyolysis and pyknosis are other patterns of nuclear change observed in necrotic cells.

• Apoptosis, especially the section on the morphology of apoptotic cells.
• Necrosis

• Pyknosis
• Karyolysis