Methylene Blue

**Semantic type:** Indicator, Reagent, or Diagnostic Aid|Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic basic dye. Methylene blue stains to negatively charged cell components like nucleic acids; when administered in the lymphatic bed of a tumor during oncologic surgery, methylene blue may stain lymph nodes draining from the tumor, thereby aiding in the visual localization of tumor sentinel lymph nodes. When administered intravenously in low doses, this agent may convert methemoglobin to hemoglobin.

**Synonyms:** - Azul Metile - Azul de Metileno - Blu di Metilene - CI Basic Blue 9 - CI-52015 - Collubleu - Colour Index No. 52015 - Desmoidpillen - METHYLENE BLUE - Methylene blue - Methylenum Caeruleum - Methylthioninii Chloridum - Methylthioninium Chloride - Methylthioninium chloride - Schultz No. 1038 - Schultz No. 1038 - Tetramethylthionine Chloride Trihydrate - Urolene Blue - Vitableu