Pseudopod Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Pseudopod and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| Pia Arachnoid Mesothelial Cells (continued) Seven mesothelial cells are seen in this slide. Notice that all of the nuclei have a distinct shape with no evidence of irregular division. Chromatin pattern is typical of cells that originate in the tissues. Cytoplasm is irregular and some pseudopods are evident, especially in the lower portion of the field.
| View Page |
| Pia Arachnoid Mesothelial Cells Pia arachnoid mesothelial (PAM) cells are often found in spinal fluid because they line the arachnoid space between the skull and the cerebrum. Ependymal cells which line the ventricles may also be present. Since ependymal and mesothelial cells are normal findings, the term mesothelial is sometimes used as a general term for both. It is essential to differentiate these tissue cells from blast cells or tumor cells which have diagnostic significance. An example of a pia arachnoid mesothelial cell, as indicated by the arrow, is present in this slide. Differentiating characteristics of this type of cell include an off-center, single, round nucleus and irregular cytoplasm that exhibits pseudopods.
| View Page |
| Monos have a blue-gray cytoplasm with ground glass appearing granules. Blunt pseudopods may also be present. | View Page |
| Glossary of Terms N through Z. N:C Ratio - Nuclear: cytoplasmic Ratio - The ratio of nuclear volume to cytoplasmic volume within any one cell.Neoplasm - Any new and abnormal growth, such as a tumor.Neutrophilic Granules - Specific granules present in the cytoplasm of neutrophils. These granules resemble pencil stippling and stain a lilac color due to their affinity for both basic and acid dyes.Phagocyte - Any cell that ingests microorganisms or other cells and foreign particles.Phagocytosis - The ingestion and destruction of microorganisms or other foreign particles.Plasma - The fluid portion of blood in which the various blood cells are suspended.PF3 (platelet Factor 3) - A lipoprotein component of the platelet membrane; functions as a surface catalyst during blood coagulation.Pseudopod - A temporary protrusion of the cytoplasm of a cell.Refractile - Capable of refracting or changing the direction of light.Senescence - The process or condition of growing old.Serotonin - A constituent of blood platelets and other cells and organs; induces constriction of the blood vessels.Specific Granules - Granules found in cells of the more mature stages of the granulocytic series. They have distinct staining reactions which differ with each type of granulocyte.T-cell - Thymus derived lymphocyte which mediates cellular immunity.Thrombocyte (Platelet) - A circular or oval disk found in the blood; concerned with hemostasis.Thymus - A ductless gland-like body situated in the anterior mediastinal cavity; reaches its maximum development during the early years of childhood.Vacuole - Any small space or cavity formed in the cytotoplasm of a cell. | View Page |
| Phagocytosis in a Neutrophil When a neutrophil is faced with a microorganism or foreign particle, phagocytosis begins.
The neutrophil extends pseudopods around the foreign material and engulfs it.
Digestive enzymes present in the neutrophilic granules are released into the vacuole containing the foreign particle, and the particle is destroyed.
In most cases a mild infection enhances the function of neutrophils while a severe infection impairs their function. | View Page |
| Monocytes are Extremely Motile Cells Because monocytes are extremely motile cells, blunt pseudopods may be seen. These should not be confused with the apparent cytoplasmic projections produced when large lymphocytes are indented by surrounding cells. | View Page |
| Monocytes often posses blunt pseudopods, have soft spongy nucleus, frequently has vacuoles in the cytoplasm. | View Page |
| All of the following descriptions are characteristic of monocytes EXCEPT: | View Page |
| More about lymphocytes, their impostors and varied faces In this photograph of blood cells from yet another submitted slide, we find cells resembling lymphoblasts with increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios and dense, finely meshed nuclear chromatin. In addition, note the extrusion of delicate strands of cytoplasm from the outer cell membranes (blue arrow). These are cells connoting hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Under scanning electron microscopy, the cytoplasmic extensions appear to be either slender microvilli or delicate pseudopods. The most helpful confirmatory finding is the detection of acid phosphatase isoenzymne 5 in the cytoplasm of suspected hairy cells by staining. The enzyme concentrates primarily in golgi bodies and in the nuclear membrane and its staining is not inhibited by the addition of tartrate. Stated in another way, hairy cells on the peripheral smears are detected by their staining positively for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Be suspicious of HCL if marrow resists aspiration-a consequence of reticulin fibrosis of the marrow in HCL. | View Page |