What does autolysis refer to?

Autolysis refers to the process of self-digestion that occurs when intracellular enzymes break down cellular components. This phenomenon typically happens after cell death, when the protective barriers that normally compartmentalize these enzymes are no longer intact. As a result, lysosomal enzymes can freely act on the cell's own structures and organelles, leading to the degradation of cellular material.

Understanding autolysis is crucial in various medical contexts, particularly in pathology and forensic science, as it can provide insights into the time frame of cell or tissue death and the characteristics of cellular breakdown. This process is distinct from bacterial breakdown, oxidation, or external decomposition, which involve different mechanisms and factors affecting tissue integrity and decay.