| macrophages, alveolar | Round, granular, mononuclear phagocytes found in the alveoli of the lungs. They ingest small inhaled particles resulting in degradation and presentation of the antigen to immunocompetent cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| macrophages, peritoneal | Mononuclear phagocytes derived from bone marrow precursors but resident in the peritoneum. (12 Dec 1998) |
| system of macrophages | A widely distributed collection of both free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow precursor cells by way of monocytes; their substantial phagocytic activity is mediated by immunoglobulin and the serum complement system. In both connective and lymphoid tissue, they may occur as free and fixed macrophages; in the sinusoids of the liver, as Kupffer cells; in the lung, as alveolar macrophages; and in the nervous system, as microglia. Synonym: system of macrophages. (05 Mar 2000) |
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