Histiocytes are a type of immune cell. They help the body heal after an injury or infection by removing dead cells, blood, micro-organisms (such as bacteria and fungus), and foreign material from the body. Foamy is a term pathologists use to describe histiocytes that are full of waste removed from the surrounding tissue. Pathologists commonly …
Read More »
In pathology, the term “exophytic” refers to a growth pattern of a tumor or lesion that projects outward from the surface of the tissue. This growth pattern contrasts with endophytic growths, which extend inward into the tissue beneath the surface. Exophytic growths can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and are characterized by their outward …
Read More »
The estrogen receptor (ER) is a special type of protein found inside certain cells throughout the body. It belongs to a family of proteins known as nuclear hormone receptors, which control how cells respond to hormones. Specifically, estrogen receptors respond to the hormone estrogen, which plays a key role in many important functions within the …
Read More »
Dysplasia is an abnormal growth of cells within a tissue or organ. In most body parts, it is considered a precursor to cancer. Pathologists use this term when cells appear unusual or disorganized under the microscope. Unlike cancerous cells, the cells in dysplasia are still confined to their original location. Dysplasia is associated with an …
Read More »
Epithelial cells are specialized cells normally found on the surface of an organ or tissue. They connect to form a thin barrier called an epithelium. Cancers that arise from these cells are called carcinomas. Epithelial cells are divided into different types based on their shape, size, function, and location. Some are flat and thin, some …
Read More »
In pathology, a duct refers to a tube-like structure in the body that transports fluids from one area to another. Ducts are important parts of various organ systems, allowing for the movement of substances such as bile, urine, sweat, and breast milk. Types of cells in a duct Ducts are lined with epithelial cells, which …
Read More »
A cyst is an abnormal, fluid-filled or air-filled space in the body, surrounded by a thin wall of tissue. The inside of a cyst can be empty (containing air), or it might be filled with fluid, blood, pus (dead immune cells), or other types of material. Cysts can develop anywhere in the body and can …
Read More »
Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) is a protein made by epithelial cells in the colon and urinary tract. It is also made by Merkle cells in the skin. This type of protein is also made by most benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumours that start in the colon and urinary tract and in a type of skin …
Read More »
Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) is a protein made by epithelial cells in the thyroid gland, lungs, thymus, female reproductive organs, upper digestive tract, and head and neck. This type of protein is also made by most benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumours that start in these organ systems. After CK7 is made, it is held in …
Read More »
Cytokeratins are a group of proteins called intermediate filaments that are normally found inside specialized epithelial cells that make up the lining of many internal and external surfaces of the body, such as the skin, organs, and glands. These proteins provide structural support and protect against mechanical stress, as well as help maintain their shape and …
Read More »
