What is "avascular necrosis"

n. (context pathology English) A disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to the bones, causing bone tissue death and bone collapse.

Avascular necrosis (AVN), also called osteonecrosis, bone infarction, aseptic necrosis, and ischemic bone necrosis, is cellular death ( necrosis) of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses. If avascular necrosis involves the bones of a joint, it often leads to destruction of the joint articular surfaces. (see Osteochondritis dissecans).