basophilia
A laboratory technician examines a blood smear showing cytoplasmic basophilia under a microscope.
Noun 1. An affinity for basic dyes: A property of cells or tissues, particularly their cytoplasm or granules, to readily take up and retain stains that are basic (cationic) in nature. This staining characteristic is used in histology and cytology to identify and study specific cellular components. 2. A condition of increased basophils: In hematology, an increase in the number of basophilic white blood cells (basophils) in the circulating blood.
- Under the microscope, the basophilia of the cell's cytoplasm indicated a high RNA content, typical of active protein synthesis.
- The pathologist noted pronounced cytoplasmic basophilia in the liver tissue sample.
- The patient's blood test revealed a mild basophilia, which the doctor decided to monitor.
- "Diffuse basophilia": Refers to a uniform, widespread staining of the cytoplasm with basic dyes, often seen in cells like plasma cells or in certain pathological conditions.
- "Granular basophilia": Describes a staining pattern where specific granules within a cell (such as those in basophils or certain secretory cells) exhibit an affinity for basic dyes.
- Basophil (noun): A type of white blood cell whose granules stain readily with basic dyes.
- Basophilic (adjective): Having an affinity for basic dyes. (e.g., , ).
- Basopenia (noun): A decrease in the number of basophils in the blood.
- Affinity for basic stains (descriptive phrase)
- Basophil count increase (for the hematological meaning)
The two primary meanings are context-dependent: 1. The cytological/histological meaning (staining property) is most common in cell biology and laboratory medicine. 2. The hematological meaning (increase in basophil cells) is specific to clinical blood analysis.
A laboratory technician examines a blood smear showing cytoplasmic basophilia under a microscope.
- the tendency of cells to stain with basic dyes
- cytoplasmic basophilia