Dept. of Dermatology - University of Iowa College of Medicine

M. S. Stone and T. L. Ray

Birefringence

The property of appearing bright white in a dark field when examined with polarized light. Collagen, hair and silica are some of the more common birefringent materials. Example is Trichothiodystrophy Hair.

Return to DermPathTutor Index.
Return to DermPath Dictionary Index.

September, 1995

Copyright © Dept. of Dermatology / University of Iowa /