gangrene

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gangrene (gang-reen) n. death and decay of part of the body due to deficiency or cessation of blood supply. The causes include disease, injury, or atheroma in major blood vessels, frostbite or severe burns, and diseases such as diabetes mellitus and Raynaud's disease. dry g. death and withering of tissues caused simply by a cessation of local blood circulation. moist (or wet) g. death and putrefactive decay of tissue caused by bacterial infection. See also gas gangrene.

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