Intermediate
Technical
IVT
cytoplasmic vacuolation
Formation of clear spaces within neuronal cytoplasm, indicating cellular stress or pathological processes.
Full Definition
Cytoplasmic vacuolation refers to the development of clear, round spaces within the cytoplasm of neurons or glial cells. These vacuoles can result from various pathological processes including osmotic stress, protein accumulation, organelle dysfunction, or toxic damage. The size, number, and distribution of vacuoles can provide clues about the underlying cause. While sometimes artifactual due to poor fixation or processing, genuine vacuolation is associated with conditions such as prion diseases, storage disorders, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and certain viral infections.
Usage
Usage note: Always consider and exclude artifactual causes.
In Context
- "Prominent cytoplasmic vacuolation was evident in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus." — Hypoxic injury assessment
- "The cytoplasmic vacuolation appeared to be genuine rather than artifactual based on the fixation quality." — Quality control evaluation
Also known as
vacuole formation
cellular vacuolation
Don't confuse with
fixation artifact
normal organelles