hemosiderin

(noun)

An abnormal microscopic pigment, formed of granules of a complex of iron hydroxides, protein, and polysaccharides, that forms in tissues of patients having an excess of iron.

Related Terms

Examples of hemosiderin in the following topics:

  • Iron Overload and Tissue Damage

    • In general, the term hemosiderosis is used to indicate the pathological effect of iron accumulation in any given organ, which mainly occurs in the form of hemosiderin.

  • Skin Color as a Diagnostic Clue

    • The striking colors of a bruise are caused by the phagocytosis and sequential degradation of hemoglobin (red-blue) to biliverdin (green) to bilirubin (yellow) to hemosiderin (golden brown).