The branch of pathology concerned with recognizing or diagnosing various specific cell types based on the appearance of their nucleus and cytoplasm. A basic theorem in cytology is that the functional state of a cell is reflected in its nuclear features. Many of the various differentiated adult cell types have strong tendencies for cell-specific patterns of heterochromatin clumping, allowing different cell types to be distinguished based on nuclear features alone. A generic term for a structure composed of a layer of epithelial cells surrounded by a roughly spherical basal lamina and surrounding stroma. A duct looks like a gland when seen in cross section.
Glands form a basic structural functional unit in many organs of the body.
Malignancies of the glandular epithelial cells are called adenocarcinomas. The hematoxylin has a purple color. It stains DNA and RNA macromolecular complexes via complex ionic interactions. The hematoxylin stains DNA moderately quantitatively. Eosin is pink in color.