Prickle cell
Prickle cell is a term used in histology to describe a type of cell found in the epidermis of the skin. These cells, also known as spinous cells, are characterized by their spiny appearance, which is caused by the numerous desmosomal connections they form with neighboring cells.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
Prickle cells are polygonal in shape and are larger than the basal cells from which they originate. They are found in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis, which is located above the stratum basale and below the stratum granulosum.
The primary function of prickle cells is to provide strength and flexibility to the skin. They achieve this through the formation of desmosomes, which are specialized cell junctions that link adjacent cells together. These desmosomes are responsible for the spiny appearance of prickle cells when viewed under a microscope.
In addition to providing structural support, prickle cells also play a role in the immune response of the skin. They are capable of presenting antigens to T cells, which are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in prickle cells can lead to a variety of skin conditions. For example, a decrease in the number of desmosomes can result in a loss of cohesion between cells, leading to conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.
Conversely, an increase in the number of prickle cells can lead to the formation of skin tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma. This is a type of skin cancer that originates from the prickle cells in the epidermis.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
