What term describes the death of cells?

The term "necrosis" refers specifically to the death of cells in a living organism. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including injury, lack of blood flow, infections, toxins, or other stressors that impair cellular function. When cells undergo necrosis, they typically swell and rupture, which can lead to inflammation and further tissue damage.

Understanding necrosis is important, especially in a healthcare context, as it can impact treatments and interventions. For instance, recognizing signs of necrosis can inform decisions about amputation or the need for surgical intervention to remove dead tissue and prevent further infection or complications.

Other terms in the question relate to different medical conditions: dermatitis describes inflammation of the skin, phlebitis refers to inflammation of a vein, and TSS, or toxic shock syndrome, is an acute medical condition caused by bacterial toxins. Each of these terms describes distinct processes or conditions that do not involve the general cell death implied by necrosis. Thus, necrosis stands out as the accurate descriptor for cell death.