The outcome of cellular injury depends on the severity and duration of the insult. Reversible injury can lead to cellular adaptation mechanisms, such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and metaplasia, that allow the cell to survive and function. Irreversible injury, however, results in cell death through necrosis or apoptosis. Necrosis is an uncontrolled and inflammatory form of cell death, while apoptosis is a regulated and non-inflammatory process.
