| phagocyte | <cell biology> A cell that is capable of phagocytosis. The main mammalian phagocytes are neutrophils and macrophages. Origin: L. Phagedaena, Gr Phago, To eat. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| phagocyte bactericidal dysfunction | Disorders in which phagocytic cells cannot kill ingested bacteria; characterised by frequent recurring infection with formulation of granulomas. (12 Dec 1998) |
| phagocyte dysfunction | Disorder in which the ability of the phagocyte to engulf and ingest particles may be impaired. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mononuclear phagocyte | <haematology> Monocytes and their differentiated products, macrophages. Mononuclear cells are leucocytes other than polymorphonuclear cells and include lymphocytes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| mononuclear phagocyte system | 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) |
| polymorphonuclear | Having nuclei of varied forms; denoting a variety of leukocyte. Origin: G. Polymorphos, multiform, + L. Nucleus, kernel (05 Mar 2000) |
| polymorphonuclear leucocyte | Mammalian blood leucocyte (granulocyte) of myeloid series in distinction to mononuclear leucocytes: See: neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil. (18 Nov 1997) |
| polymorphonuclear leukocyte | Small, actively motile white blood cells containing many lysosomes and specialising in phagocytosis. (09 Oct 1997) |
| nonfilament polymorphonuclear leukocyte | <haematology> A neutrophil, basophil, or eosinophil that is not completely matured, i.e., the lobes of the nuclei remain connected with bands of chromatin, in contrast to the thin strands observed in mature cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| filament polymorphonuclear leukocyte | Any mature polymorphonuclear leukocyte, especially a neutrophilic leukocyte, in which the lobes of the nucleus are interconnected with a thin strand or filament of chromatin. (05 Mar 2000) |