Histiocyte

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Histiocyte

Histiocyte (/hɪˈstɪoʊ.saɪt/; from the Greek 'histio', meaning tissue, and 'cyte', meaning cell) is a type of immune cell that resides in many tissues throughout the body. Histiocytes are part of the mononuclear phagocyte system, a network of cells that play a crucial role in the body's defense against disease.

Etymology

The term 'histiocyte' is derived from the Greek words 'histio', meaning tissue, and 'cyte', meaning cell. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe a type of cell found in various tissues throughout the body.

Function

Histiocytes are part of the body's immune system. They are responsible for detecting and responding to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, as well as damaged or diseased cells. Histiocytes accomplish this through a process known as phagocytosis, in which they engulf and destroy these harmful substances.

Related Terms

  • Macrophage: A type of histiocyte that resides in tissues throughout the body and plays a key role in the immune response.
  • Dendritic cell: Another type of histiocyte, dendritic cells are primarily involved in the activation of T cells, a type of white blood cell.
  • Langerhans cell: These are a specific type of histiocyte found in the skin and mucous membranes.
  • Histiocytosis: This is a group of diseases that occur when there is an over-production of histiocytes that can lead to organ damage and tumor formation.

See Also

External links

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