Intracellular accumulations

Fatty change of the liver. In most cells, the well- preserved nucleus is squeezed into the displaced rim of cytoplasm about the fat vacuole.

A- Atherosclerosis of the coronary artery (arrow). B-Part of the wall is magnified to show the macrophages filled with lipid (Cholesterol and cholesterol esters) in tunica intima they are called the foam cells. A B

Oil-red O stain specific for lipid staining. The atheroma in this coronary artery is stained red.

The liver of alcohol abuse (chronic alcoholism). Hyaline inclusions in the hepatic parenchymal cell in the center appear as eosinophilic networks disposed about the nuclei.

Accumulation of Mallory hyaline in hepatocytes in alcoholic hepatitis. It is composed of intermediate cytoskeletal filaments (intermediate between actin and myosin in size)

Accumulation of same material in splenic macrophages Distention of hepatocytes due to accumulation of glucocerebroside due to deficiency of enzyme glucocerebrosidase in Gaucher disease

Vacuolation of hepatocytes in glycogenosis type III (deficiency of debrancher enzyme), due to accumulation of large amounts of glycogen

The yellow-brown granular pigment seen in the hepatocytes here is lipochrome (lipofuscin) which accumulates over time in cells (particularly liver and heart) as a result of "wear and tear" with aging. It is of no major consequence, but illustrates the end result of the process of autophagocytosis in which intracellular debris is sequestered and turned into these residual bodies of lipochrome.

Accumulation of hemosiderin inside alveolar macrophages in the lung of patient with congestive heart failure (hence called heart failure cells), resulting from release of iron from breakdown of hemoglobin of dead RBCs.

A Prussian blue reaction (a special stain for demonstration of iron) is seen in the liver to demonstrate large amounts of hemosiderin that are present in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells.

Hemosiderin granules in liver cells. A, H&E section showing golden-brown, finely granular pigment. B, Prussian blue reaction, specific for iron.

Accumulation of black carbon particles inside alveolar macrophages (of lung) which is called anthracite pigment.

A section of liver in which there is accumulation of bile in form of large spots called bile plugs.