basophil

basophil
ba·so·phil 'bā-sə-.fil, -zə- or ba·so·phile -.fīl n a basophilic substance or structure esp a white blood cell with basophilic granules that is similar in function to a mast cell

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n.
a variety of white blood cell distinguished by the presence in its cytoplasm of coarse granules that stain purple-black with Romanowsky stains. The function of basophils is poorly understood, but they are capable of ingesting foreign particles and contain histamine and heparin. There are normally 30-150 x 106 basophils per litre of blood.

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ba·so·phil (baґso-fil) [baso- + -phil] 1. a structure, cell, or other histologic element that stains readily with basic dyes. 2. a granular leukocyte with an irregularly shaped, pale-staining nucleus that is partially constricted into two lobes, and with cytoplasm that contains coarse, bluish-black granules of variable size. Basophils contain vasoactive amines such as histamine and serotonin, which are released on appropriate stimulation. Called also basophilic leukocyte. 3. one of the hormone-producing basophilic cells of the adenohypophysis; types include gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs. Called also beta cell and B cell. 4. basophilic.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • basophil — [bas′əfīl΄, bas′əfil΄bās′ə fil΄] n. [< BASIC + PHILE] a cell, substance, or tissue easily stained by basic dyes, as the beta cells in the anterior pituitary or certain white blood cells: also basophile [bas′əfīl΄, bas′əfil΄] basophilic… …   English World dictionary

  • Basophil — Als Basophilie wird ein Anstieg der Zahl der basophilen Granulozyten (kurz: Basophile) im Blut bezeichnet. Die Basophilie ist eine Form der Leukozytose, also der Erhöhung der Zahl der weißen Blutkörperchen. Des Weiteren bezeichnet Basophilie auch …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Basophil granulocyte — Basophils are the least common of the granulocytes, representing about 0.01% to 0.3% of circulating leukocytes (white blood cells). They contain large cytoplasmic granules which obscure the cell nucleus under the microscope. However, when… …   Wikipedia

  • Basophil activation — Allergic symptoms are caused by an initial systemic histamine release by activated basophiles and mast cells, that may lead to shock with laryngeal edema, lower airway obstruction and hypotension. This is why basophiles are considered with mast… …   Wikipedia

  • basophil — also basophile noun Date: circa 1890 a basophilic substance or structure; especially a white blood cell containing basophilic granules that is similar in function to a mast cell …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • basophil — (ba so fil) A phagocytic leukocyte whose granules stain bluish black with a basic dye. It has a segmented nucleus. The granules contain histamine and heparin …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • basophil — Mammalian granulocyte with large heterochromatic basophilic granules that contain histamine bound to a protein and heparin like mucopolysaccharide matrix. They are not phagocytic. Very similar to mast cells though it is not clear whether they… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • basophil — /bay seuh fil/, n. 1. Biol. a basophilic cell, tissue, organism, or substance. 2. Anat. a white blood cell having a two lobed nucleus and basophilic granules in its cytoplasm. adj. 3. Biol. basophilic. Also, basophile /bay seuh fuyl , fil/. [1885 …   Universalium

  • basophil — noun Any cell that has granules stained by basic stains; but especially granular leukocytes. See Also: basophilia, basophilic, granulocyte …   Wiktionary

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