Heinz body

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Heinz Body

Heinz bodies (pronounced: hines bodies) are inclusions within red blood cells that are composed of denatured hemoglobin. They are named after Robert Heinz, a German physician who first described them in 1890.

Etymology

The term "Heinz body" comes from the name of the German physician Robert Heinz, who first described these inclusions in 1890. The word "body" in this context is used to denote a discrete particle or distinct structure in the cell.

Definition

A Heinz body is an inclusion within the red blood cell that is composed of denatured hemoglobin. Denatured hemoglobin is hemoglobin that has lost its structure due to exposure to certain chemicals, heat, or pH changes. Heinz bodies are visible when the blood is stained with certain dyes, such as crystal violet or methylene blue.

Causes

Heinz bodies form when the hemoglobin within red blood cells is damaged, leading to the formation of precipitates. This can occur due to oxidative damage, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including certain drugs, toxins, or diseases such as G6PD deficiency and thalassemia.

Related Terms

  • Inclusion: A general term for any material that is trapped inside a cell or a crystal.
  • Red blood cell: A type of blood cell that is color red due to the presence of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
  • Denatured hemoglobin: Hemoglobin that has lost its structure due to exposure to certain chemicals, heat, or pH changes.
  • G6PD deficiency: A genetic disorder that results in a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which can lead to the formation of Heinz bodies.
  • Thalassemia: A group of inherited blood disorders characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, which can also lead to the formation of Heinz bodies.

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