Foreign body giant cell
Foreign body giant cell
Foreign body giant cell (pronunciation: for·eign bo·dy gi·ant cell) is a type of cell that forms when the body's immune system encounters a foreign substance that it cannot eliminate. These cells are typically seen in response to implant materials, infection, or other foreign substances.
Etymology
The term "foreign body giant cell" is derived from the words "foreign", meaning from outside the body, "body", referring to the physical structure of a living organism, "giant", indicating the large size of these cells, and "cell", the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms.
Formation
Foreign body giant cells form when macrophages, a type of white blood cell, are unable to eliminate a foreign substance. The macrophages fuse together to form a larger cell, known as a foreign body giant cell. This process is known as cell fusion.
Function
The primary function of foreign body giant cells is to attempt to eliminate foreign substances from the body. They do this by releasing enzymes and other substances that can break down the foreign material. However, in some cases, the foreign body giant cell may not be able to completely eliminate the foreign substance.
Related Terms
See Also
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