autolysis

autolysis definition - medical

au·tol·y·sis (ô-tŏlˈĭ-sĭs)

noun
  1. The destruction of tissues or cells of an organism by the action of substances, such as enzymes, that are produced within the organism.
  2. Self-destruction of tissues within the living body. Also called autodigestion.
  3. The hemolytic action of blood serum or plasma upon its own cells. Also called autocytolysis.

Related Forms:

  • auˌto·lytˈic (ôˌtə-lĭtˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.