Acidophile (histology)

An acidophile (or acidophil, or, as an adjectival form, acidophilic) describes is a term used by histologists to describe a particular staining pattern of cells and tissues when using haematoxylin and eosin stains. Specifically, the name refers to structures which "love" acid, and take it up readily.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

It describes the microscopic appearance of cells and tissues, as seen down the microscope, after a histological section has been stained with an acidic dye. The most common such dye is eosin, which stains acidophilic organisms red and is the source of the related term eosinophilic.

See also

• Anterior pituitary acidophil
• Basophilic
• Oxyphil cell
• Eosinophil granulocyte