Immunoglobulins are special proteins made by plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that develops from B cells. Immunoglobulins are also called antibodies. Their primary role is to protect the body by recognizing and attaching to harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Once an immunoglobulin attaches to a target, it marks it …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of many cells in the body. In healthy cells, HER2 acts like an antenna — it receives growth signals from the surrounding environment and passes them into the cell, helping to control when the cell grows and divides. Normally, each cell …
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In a pathology report, the term heterogeneous refers to a tissue, cell population, or structure that is made up of different components, types, or appearances rather than being uniform or consistent. Pathologists use this term to describe findings that vary in size, shape, colour, or composition within the same specimen. The opposite of heterogenous is …
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What does homogeneous mean? Homogeneous is a word pathologists use to describe a tissue that looks the same from one area of the tissue sample to the next. Tissues that are similar looking in colour, shape, and size can be described as homogeneous. Homogeneous can be used to describe the way the tissue looks with …
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A hamartoma is a noncancerous growth composed of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues, typically found in the part of the body where the growth occurs. The word “hamartoma” comes from a Greek term meaning “to go wrong,” referring to how the tissue develops in a disorganized way. Unlike a typical tumor, which starts from a …
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A gland is a special structure in the body made up of cells that are designed to produce and release substances. These substances may be fluids, hormones, or enzymes that help the body function normally. Some glands release their products onto body surfaces, such as the inside of the mouth or stomach, while others release …
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In pathology, the term “gross” refers to observations made by examining tissues or organs with the naked eye, without the use of a microscope or any magnification tools. Gross examination involves assessing the general appearance and physical features of a tissue sample or organ, including its size, shape, color, texture, and the presence of any …
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