Auer rods
Auer Rods
Auer rods (pronounced: ow-er rods) are needle-shaped inclusions that are found in the cytoplasm of certain types of white blood cells, specifically myeloblasts and promyelocytes. They are named after the American pathologist, Dr. John Auer, who first described them in 1906.
Etymology
The term "Auer rods" is derived from the name of Dr. John Auer, an American pathologist who first identified these structures. The word "rod" refers to the rod-like shape of these inclusions.
Description
Auer rods are composed of fused lysosomes, which are cellular organelles that contain digestive enzymes. They are typically found in the cytoplasm of myeloblasts and promyelocytes, which are immature forms of white blood cells. The presence of Auer rods is a characteristic feature of certain types of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Clinical Significance
The presence of Auer rods in a blood or bone marrow sample is a significant finding in the diagnosis of certain types of leukemia. They are particularly associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), both of which are types of cancer that affect the white blood cells. The detection of Auer rods can help to confirm a diagnosis of these conditions and can provide important information about the severity and prognosis of the disease.
Related Terms
- Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the white blood cells.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A type of leukemia characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal myeloid cells.
- Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): A subtype of AML characterized by the presence of a large number of promyelocytes in the blood or bone marrow.
- Lysosomes: Cellular organelles that contain digestive enzymes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Auer rods
- Wikipedia's article - Auer rods
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski