Lipofuscin accumulates in aging or atrophic cells. It is BEST described as:

• A Undigested lipid droplets from fatty change
• B Hemosiderin from microhemorrhages
• C Glycogen granules visible under electron microscopy
• D Residual bodies from lysosomal peroxidation of membrane phospholipids ✓

Explanation

Lipofuscin ('wear-and-tear pigment') consists of lipid-protein complexes derived from free radical-mediated peroxidation of polyunsaturated lipids within autolysosomes that cannot be digested. It appears as golden-brown cytoplasmic granules that increase with aging and atrophy, particularly in cardiac myocytes and hepatocytes ('brown atrophy'). It is not derived from hemoglobin (hemosiderin) nor is it glycogen.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.