Intracellular bridges are tiny connections that link one cell to another. They are found in squamous cells, which are flat cells that make up the surface of the skin, the lining of the mouth, throat, and esophagus, and the outer layer of the cervix. These bridges allow squamous cells to stay firmly attached to each …
Read More »
Inflammatory cells are specialized types of white blood cells that migrate into tissues in response to changes, such as an injury, infection, or cancer. Their job is to protect you by fighting germs, removing damaged tissue, and aiding in the healing process. When a pathologist examines a tissue sample under the microscope, they may describe …
Read More »
In pathology, the term “in toto” means that an entire tissue specimen is submitted for microscopic examination without being divided into smaller parts. This approach ensures that the pathologist can evaluate the entire specimen comprehensively. Types of tissues submitted in toto Certain types of tissues or specimens are typically submitted in toto for a thorough …
Read More »
Intestinal metaplasia is a change that occurs when the cells that normally line an organ are replaced by cells that resemble those found in the intestine. The word metaplasia means that one type of normal cell has been replaced by another type of normal cell that is not usually found in that location. In intestinal …
Read More »
Inflammation is your body’s natural defense mechanism against injury, irritation, or infection. It is a process in which your immune system sends specialized cells, proteins, and chemical signals to an affected area to protect your body and aid in its healing. Although inflammation is usually beneficial and necessary, it can sometimes cause discomfort or harm …
Read More »
In pathology, the term “infiltration” refers to the spread of one type of cell or substance into an area of tissue where it is not normally found. This can happen with normal immune system cells that move into tissues during inflammation, or with abnormal cells, such as cancer cells, that grow into surrounding structures. Pathologists use …
Read More »
In pathology, infiltrative is a term pathologists use to describe cells, typically cancer cells, that have spread beyond their original location and are now growing into surrounding healthy tissue. When a tumor is described as infiltrative, it means the cancer cells do not have clear borders and instead extend irregularly into nearby tissues, making it challenging …
Read More »
Hyperplasia is a non-cancerous condition characterized by an increased number of cells within a tissue or organ. This increase in cell number can cause the affected tissue to grow larger or thicker. Hyperplastic is another term commonly used to describe tissues that have undergone hyperplasia. This change can only be seen when the tissue is …
Read More »
Hyperchromasia is a term pathologists use to describe a cell’s nucleus that looks darker than usual when examined under the microscope. Most of a cell’s genetic material (DNA) is located in the nucleus. When pathologists examine tissue samples, they apply a stain called hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), which normally makes the nucleus appear blue or …
Read More »
Hyperchromatic is a term pathologists use to describe a nucleus within a cell that appears darker than usual under the microscope. This darker appearance occurs when cells are examined using a special stain called hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The nucleus, which contains most of the cell’s genetic material (DNA), usually stains blue or purple. If …
Read More »
