urinary cast

urinary cast
a cast formed from gelled protein precipitated in the renal tubules and molded to the tubular lumen; pieces of these casts break off and are washed out with the urine. There are various different types, including granular, hyaline, waxy, and epithelial. Called also renal c. and urinary cylinder.

Urinary casts (phase contrast microscopy). (A), Hyaline cast; (B), hyaline-granular cast; (C), waxy cast; (D), erythrocyte cast, with erythrocytes (arrows) embedded in cast matrix; (E), hemoglobin cast; (F), leukocyte cast, showing large nuclei (arrows) characteristic of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Urinary casts — are cylindrical aggregations of particulate matter that form in the distal nephron, dislodge, and eventually pass into the urine. They form via precipitation of Tamm Horsfall mucoprotein which is secreted by renal tubule cells, and sometimes also …   Wikipedia

  • Cast — 1) A protective shell of plaster and bandage molded to protect a broken or fractured limb as it heals. 2) An abnormal mass of dead cells that forms in a body cavity. * * * 1. An object formed by the solidification of a liquid poured into a mold.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Cast — For acronym usages see CAST. Cast may refer to:*Casting, a process by which a material is introduced into a mould while liquid, and allowed to solidify into a specific shape **Cast iron *Caste, social division in society *Casting (performing… …   Wikipedia

  • urinary cylinder — see under cast …   Medical dictionary

  • hyaline cast — n a renal cast of mucoprotein characterized by homogeneity of structure * * * a nearly transparent, slightly refractory urinary cast made up of homogeneous mucoprotein, seen transiently during exercise, fever, congestive heart failure, and… …   Medical dictionary

  • granular cast — a cellular cast derived from a kidney tubule. In certain kidney diseases, notably acute glomerulonephritis, abnormal collections of renal tubular cells are shed from the kidney, often as a cast of the tubule. The casts can be observed on… …   Medical dictionary

  • fibrinous cast — a urinary cast resembling a waxy cast, but having a darker yellow color, as seen in some types of nephritis …   Medical dictionary

  • bacterial cast — a urinary cast that contains bacteria …   Medical dictionary

  • blood cast — a urinary cast that contains blood cells; see red blood cell c. and white blood cell c …   Medical dictionary

  • epithelial cast — a urinary cast made up of cells of the epithelium of the tubules …   Medical dictionary

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