chromaffin reaction


chro·maf·fin re·ac·tion

production of a yellow-brown to brown coloration in normal and abnormal cells containing epinephrine and norepinephrine when fresh tissue slices are placed in a dichromate-chromate mixture overnight; useful for detection of pheochromocytoma (adrenal medulla) and other tumors that produce catecholamines.
See also: chromaffin.

chromaffin reaction

Histological demonstration of cytoplasmic granules containing epinephrine when subjected to stains containing chromium salts. Such granules stain green with ferric chloride, yellow with iodine, and brown with osmic acid.