title: Tyrosine-rich crystalloids in neoplasms and tissues of the head and neck.
abstract: Tyrosine-rich crystalloids were identified in three benign mixed tumors of the parotid gland, one terminal duct adenocarcinoma of a minor salivary gland, and the fibrous connective tissue of two laryngectomy specimens. Light and electron microscopic studies showed the crystalloids to be composed of irregular deposits of amorphous electron-dense material. In the salivary gland tumors this material was commonly associated with interstitial collagen and was found in greatest abundance near myoepithelial cells. This proximity suggests that the tyrosine-rich crystalloids result from the precipitation on stromal collagen of products secreted by neoplastic myoepithelial cells.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014443:Tyrosine