Basophils are a specific type of white blood cell. These cells are
readily stained with basic dyes (this is where the name comes
from). Note the dark grains inside the cellular fluid (cytoplasm)
of this basophil. Basophils make up only a small portion of the
number of white blood cells but are important parts of the body's
immune response. They release histamine and other chemicals that
act on the blood vessels when the immune response is triggered.
Review Date: 02/13/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
