Paneth cell

The Paneth cell is characteristic of the small intestine. It is also normal in the cecum, ascending colon and transverse colon.

General

• Paneth cell distal to the splenic flexure are abnormal.
  • They are indicative of chronic inflammation - seen in inflammatory bowel disease.

Microscopic

Features:

• Supranuclear eosinophilic granules.

DDx:

• Enterochromaffin cells (AKA Kulchitsky cells).
  • Subnuclear eosinophilic granules.
• Intraepithelial eosinophils.

See also

• Gastrointestinal pathology.
• Colon.