Chromophobe
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”).
Pituitary
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]
Cancer
Cancer
“Chromophobe” also refers to a type of renal cell carcinoma (distinct from “clear cell”).[2]
References
References
- ↑ Histology image: 14002loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
- ↑ http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_kidney_cancer_22.asp
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