Candida albicans can grow as yeast cells, true septate hyphae, or pseudohyphae which are an intermediate form between these two extremes. Thick-walled chlamydospores may be formed by hyphae or pseudohyphae.
This dimorphism or polymorphism has long been thought to represent an important pathogenicity determinant, pathogenicity commonly being associated with hyphal growth whereas yeasts are indicative of saprotrophic commensal growth.