autophagy

== English == === Etymology === From auto- +‎ -phagy. === Pronunciation === === Noun === autophagy (countable and uncountable, plural autophagies) (cytology) The process of self-digestion by a cell through the action of enzymes originating within the same cell, and often a defensive or self-preservation measure. Near-synonym: autocytolysis (cytology) A type of programmed cell death accomplished through self-digestion. Coordinate terms: apoptosis, programmed cell death (rare) Self-consumption; the act of eating oneself. ==== Synonyms ==== (self-consumption): autocannibalism ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== autophagal autophagous ==== Translations ====