Giant cell

Giant cell is a large cell characterized by a large amount of cytoplasm and several nuclei. These cells are typically formed by the fusion of smaller cells, often in response to inflammation or infection. They are commonly found in certain types of tumors and in conditions such as giant cell arteritis and giant cell myocarditis.

Characteristics

Giant cells are significantly larger than most other cells, with a large amount of cytoplasm and multiple nuclei. They are typically formed by the fusion of smaller cells, a process known as cell fusion. This is often a response to inflammation or infection, with the giant cells acting to isolate and destroy the foreign material.

Types of Giant Cells

There are several types of giant cells, including:

• Langhans giant cells: These are found in conditions such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. They are characterized by their horseshoe-shaped pattern of nuclei.

• Foreign body giant cells: These are formed in response to foreign material in the body that is too large to be phagocytosed. They are characterized by their scattered pattern of nuclei.

• Tumor giant cells: These are found in certain types of tumors, including osteoclastomas and giant cell tumors of the bone. They are characterized by their large size and multiple nuclei.

Associated Conditions

Giant cells are associated with a number of conditions, including:

• Giant cell arteritis: This is a form of vasculitis that can cause headaches, jaw pain, and vision problems.

• Giant cell myocarditis: This is a rare and often fatal type of myocarditis characterized by inflammation and damage to the heart muscle.

• Giant cell tumors: These are benign tumors that can occur in any bone in the body, but are most commonly found in the knee.

See Also

• Cell (biology)
• Inflammation
• Tumor

References

Giant cell Resources
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