Cribriform, (KRIH-brih-form), means pierced with small holes, resembling a sieve. It is a descriptive term often used in medicine, particularly in anatomy and pathology, to characterize structures or tissues with a perforated or sieve-like appearance.
Understanding Cribriform Structures
A cribriform structure is characterized by:
- Multiple Small Holes: The defining feature is the presence of numerous small openings.
- Sieve-like Appearance: The overall look is reminiscent of a sieve, a tool used to separate materials by size.
Examples of Cribriform Structures in the Body
Here are some examples of cribriform structures encountered in human anatomy:
- Cribriform Plate: A part of the ethmoid bone in the skull, perforated with small holes that allow the olfactory nerves (responsible for the sense of smell) to pass from the nasal cavity to the brain.
- Cribriform Carcinoma: In pathology, some tumors are described as having a cribriform pattern under microscopic examination. This refers to the arrangement of the cancer cells in a sieve-like or lacelike structure. It can be seen in breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other types of cancer. The presence of a cribriform pattern can affect the tumor's grade and prognosis.
Cribriform Pattern in Pathology
In pathology, "cribriform" describes a specific growth pattern observed in certain types of tumors under a microscope. The cells arrange themselves in nests or islands with punched-out spaces between them, creating a sieve-like appearance.
- Significance: The presence and extent of a cribriform pattern are often important factors in diagnosing and grading certain cancers.
- Examples:
- Cribriform adenocarcinoma of the prostate: A type of prostate cancer characterized by this pattern.
- Invasive cribriform carcinoma of the breast: A subtype of breast cancer where tumor cells invade surrounding tissue in a cribriform arrangement.
Summary
In conclusion, "cribriform" describes something riddled with small holes, resembling a sieve. Its usage is particularly relevant in anatomy (e.g., cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone) and pathology (e.g., cribriform carcinoma) to describe structures with this distinct perforated pattern.
