Salt-and-pepper chromatin
Salt and Pepper Chromatin is a term used in cytology and histology to describe the appearance of certain cells under a microscope. The term is derived from the pattern of chromatin distribution within the nucleus of the cell, which resembles the sprinkling of salt and pepper. This pattern is often associated with certain diseases and conditions, such as neuroblastoma and paraganglioma.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Chromatin is a complex of DNA and protein found in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to package long DNA molecules into more compact, denser structures. This prevents the strands from becoming tangled and also plays important roles in reinforcing the DNA during cell division, preventing DNA damage, and regulating gene expression and DNA replication.
The term "salt and pepper" is used to describe the appearance of the chromatin when viewed under a microscope. In cells with this pattern, the chromatin is not evenly distributed throughout the nucleus. Instead, it appears as small, irregularly shaped clumps that are scattered throughout the nucleus, similar to grains of salt and pepper.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The presence of salt and pepper chromatin is often associated with certain diseases and conditions. For example, it is a characteristic feature of neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells and most commonly affects children. It is also seen in paraganglioma, a rare type of tumor that develops in certain nerve cells that are part of the body's neuroendocrine system.
In addition to these conditions, salt and pepper chromatin can also be seen in other types of tumors and in certain non-neoplastic conditions. Therefore, while the presence of this pattern can provide valuable clues about the nature of a disease, it is not diagnostic on its own and must be interpreted in the context of other clinical and laboratory findings.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
| Salt-and-pepper chromatin Resources | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
