Histologically, tissue damage is identified by examining changes in the cellular and extracellular matrix structures. Common indicators include necrosis, apoptosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Necrosis is characterized by cell swelling, rupture, and loss of membrane integrity, while apoptosis involves programmed cell death with cell shrinkage and fragmentation. An increase in inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils or lymphocytes, indicates an immune response to damage. Specialized staining techniques, like Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), help visualize these changes under a microscope.
