Cytoplasm

MyPathologyReport
November 28, 2023

Cytoplasm is the material that makes up the body of a cell. It is made up of water, proteins, and organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and the nucleus. The cytoplasm is surrounded by a thin barrier called the cell membrane that separates the inside of the cell from the external environment.

Pathologists use a combination of stains called hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to see cells under the microscope. When viewed under the microscope, eosin makes the cytoplasm of the cell appear pink. The amount of cytoplasm inside a cell varies between different types of cells. For example, squamous cells on the surface of the skin have a large amount of cytoplasm. In contrast, specialized immune cells called lymphocytes have very little cytoplasm.

Pathologists use a variety of special terms to describe the look of a cell’s cytoplasm under the microscope.

Common terms used to describe the cytoplasm of a cell:

• Eosinophilic: These cells appear bright pink as a result of a large amount of proteinaceous material in the body of the cell.
• Oncocytic: These cells appear pink as a result of a large number of mitochondria in the body of the cell.
• Clear: Very little hematoxylin or eosin is seen in the body of the cell.
• Basophilic: The cells appear blue as a result of the stain hematoxylin sticking to material in the body of the cell.

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About this article

This article was written by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.

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Atlas of pathology