Nucleolus

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The nucleolus (plural nucleoli) is a thingy in the nucleus that may give the pathologist a clue to what they are looking at.

Micrograph showing a tumour (epithelioid sarcoma) with prominent nucleoli. H&E stain.

Generally speaking, large nucleoli suggest something is happening - they are associated with gene transcription. Large nucleoli are seen in malignancies and reactive conditions.

Macronucleolus

Almost the size of RBC ~ 6-7 micrometers.

Example:

Image

Red nucleolus

Large - can be seen with 10x objective.

Examples:

Large nucleolus

Large - can be seen with 10x objective.

Examples:

Medium-sized nucleolus

Medium - can be seen well with 20x objective.

Examples:

Small

Small - hard to see at 20x objective, seen with 40x objective.

Examples:

Indistinct nucleolus

Not present - cannot see with 40x objective.

Examples:

See also

References

  1. Mitchell, Richard; Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelson; Abbas, Abul K.; Aster, Jon (2011). Pocket Companion to Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. pp. 329. ISBN 978-1416054542.