multinucleated giant cell

Term ID

CL:0000647

Synonyms

• foreign body giant cell
• Langerhans giant cell
• macrophage polykaryon
• multinucleate giant cell
• syncytial giant cell

Definition

A phagocytic cell formed by the fusion of macrophages, occurs in chronic inflammatory responses to persistent microorganism such as M.tuberculosis, component of granulomas. Sometimes used to refer to megakaryocytes. (2)

References

• BTO:0003107
• FMA:83035

Ontology

Cell Ontology