Etymed
basophilia
Definition
The tendency of certain cells or tissues to take up basic dyes or stains, particularly used in histology to describe the affinity of cells for basic stains
Clinical context
A 45-year-old patient presents with fatigue and pale skin. Laboratory analysis reveals abnormal staining patterns in bone marrow biopsy, with cells showing increased affinity for basic dyes. This basophilic tendency helps differentiate between various hematologic malignancies. The patient's condition is further evaluated through bone marrow aspiration and cytogenetic studies.
Mnemonic
BASOPHILIA = Basic Stain Affinity - Think 'basic' dyes bind to 'basic' cellular components