ba·so·phil 'bā-sə-.fil, -zə- or ba·so·phile -.fīl n a basophilic substance or structure esp a white blood cell with basophilic granules that is similar in function to a mast cell
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n.
a variety of white blood cell distinguished by the presence in its cytoplasm of coarse granules that stain purple-black with Romanowsky stains. The function of basophils is poorly understood, but they are capable of ingesting foreign particles and contain histamine and heparin. There are normally 30-150 x 106 basophils per litre of blood.
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ba·so·phil (baґso-fil) [baso- + -phil] 1. a structure, cell, or other histologic element that stains readily with basic dyes. 2. a granular leukocyte with an irregularly shaped, pale-staining nucleus that is partially constricted into two lobes, and with cytoplasm that contains coarse, bluish-black granules of variable size. Basophils contain vasoactive amines such as histamine and serotonin, which are released on appropriate stimulation. Called also basophilic leukocyte. 3. one of the hormone-producing basophilic cells of the adenohypophysis; types include gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs. Called also beta cell and B cell. 4. basophilic.
Medical dictionary. 2011.