Tubal metaplasia is a non-cancerous (benign) change where the normal cells in an organ or tissue are replaced by cells that look like those normally found in the fallopian tube. These tubal-type cells often have tiny hair-like structures called cilia. Cilia help move fluid or mucus across the surface of the tissue, similar to how …
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What is the liver? The liver is an organ found in the right upper part of your abdominal cavity. It is responsible for removing toxins, processing medications, and producing substances such as bile that are essential for breaking down and using food. The liver contains multiple types of cells which make up its structure and …
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In pathology, endophytic describes a growth that extends downward from the surface of a tissue into the organ or tissue below, rather than outward. Pathologists sometimes use the word inverted to mean the same thing. The opposite of endophytic is exophytic, which describes a growth that projects outward from the surface. Endophytic describes the shape …
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PAX8 is a protein that helps control the activity of genes in certain types of cells. It acts as a transcription factor, meaning it turns genes on or off to guide how cells grow, develop, and function. PAX8 is especially important during early development and is involved in forming organs such as the thyroid gland, …
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Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is an abnormal growth caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). The abnormal growth seen in LSIL is an example of dysplasia. It commonly involves the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, or anal canal. This condition may affect both women and men. The virus infects squamous cells found on the …
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A leiomyoma is a noncancerous tumor made of smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle works without conscious control and is found in blood vessels, hair follicles, the digestive tract, and the uterus. Leiomyomas grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body. They differ from leiomyosarcoma, a cancer made of smooth muscle cells. …
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Edema is a buildup of clear, watery fluid inside a tissue. It happens when fluid from the blood leaks out of small blood vessels and collects in the tissue around them. When a tissue contains this extra fluid, pathologists may describe it as edematous. Edema is a description of something the pathologist saw, not a …
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Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a cancer that starts in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. These cells make up the uterus’s muscular wall, called the myometrium, and they are the same cells that form a leiomyoma, or fibroid. A sarcoma is a cancer arising from muscle or connective tissue rather than from the lining cells …
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DIF stands for direct immunofluorescence. It is a laboratory test that pathologists use to look for specific proteins in a tissue sample. Unlike most tissue samples, which are examined under ordinary light, DIF samples are examined under fluorescent light, which makes the proteins of interest glow so the pathologist can see exactly where they are …
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Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is a specialized laboratory test pathologists use to identify specific proteins within a tissue sample. This test involves using antibodies attached to a fluorescent dye that glows brightly under a special microscope. By lighting up these proteins, DIF helps pathologists see their location and pattern within the tissue. Why is direct immunofluorescence …
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