1. Having an affinity for acidic dyes; staining readily with acidic stains (used in histology and cell biology).
Usage: technical; biology

1. A cell or tissue that stains readily with acidic dyes; an acidophilic cell.
Usage: technical; biology

Examples

• The oxyphil cells in the pancreas are rich in mitochondria and appear pink under the microscope.
• Oxyphil staining helps pathologists identify certain types of tumors.
• The salivary gland contains both serous and oxyphil cell types.
• Under acidic dye treatment, oxyphil tissues display strong coloration.
• Oxyphil granules in the cytoplasm indicate high metabolic activity.