Chromophobe

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The term chromophobe refers to histological structures which do not take up colored dye readily, and thus appear more relatively pale under the microscope -- hence their "fear" ("phobia") of "color" ("chrome").

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[edit] Pituitary

The term is most commonly associated with the anterior pituitary, where approximately half of the cells are considered chromophobes. (Of the remaining cells, about a third are basophils, and the other two thirds acidophils.) The chromophobe cells do not actually appear clear, but rather a light blue (in contrast to the deep blue of the basophils.)[1]

[edit] Cancer

"Chromophobe" also refers to a type of renal cell carcinoma (distinct from "clear cell").[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Histology at BU 14002loa
  2. ^ http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_kidney_cancer_22.asp

[edit] External links