Cell shrinkage: Size of the cell decreases with dense eosinophilic cytoplas
Chromatin condensation and fragmentation– Chromatin material aggregates below the nuclear membrane initially. later fragmentation of nuclear material occurs.
Formation of cytoplasmic blebs & apoptotic bodies – Cell surface shows blebbing. Condensed cytoplasm, fragmented nuclear material and organelles are packed into the blebs which are separated from the cell forming apoptotic bodies
Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells or cell bodies usually by macrophages which degrade them by lysosomal enzymes
Histologic examination
Tissues stained with H & E show the apoptotic cell as round or oval mass of intensely eosinophilic cytoplasm with dense nuclear chromatin pattern
Inflammatory reaction is absent in apoptosis
Reference
Vinay kumar, Abul K.Abbas, Nelson Fausto, Jon C. Aster. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease. 8th edition.
