| neurosecretory cells | Nerve cell's, such as those of the hypothalamus, that elaborate a chemical substance (such as a releasing factor, neuropeptide, or, more rarely, a true hormone) that influences the activity of another structure (e.g., anterior lobe of the hypophysis). See also neurosecretion. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| stromal cells | Connective tissue cells of an organ found in the loose connective tissue. These are most often associated with the uterine mucosa and the ovary as well as the haematopoietic system and elsewhere. (12 Dec 1998) |
| NK cells | Large granular lymphocytes which do not express markers of either T or B-cell lineage. These cells do possess Fc receptors for IgG and can kill target cells using antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. NK cells can also use perforin to kill cells in the absence of antibody. Killing may occur without previous sensitization. Synonym: NK cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nurse cells | Elongated cell's in the seminiferous tubules to which spermatids are attached during spermiogenesis; they secrete androgen-binding protein and establish the blood-testis barrier by forming tight junctions with adjacent Sertoli's cell's. Synonym: nurse cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Davidoff's cells | Cell's, located at the base of intestinal glands of the small intestine, which contain large acidophilic refractile granules and may produce lysozyme. Synonym: Davidoff's cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| d cells | Cells found throughout the gastrointestinal tract and in the pancreas. They secrete somatostatin in both an endocrine and paracrine manner. Somatostatin inhibits gastrin, cholecystokinin, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic enzymes, and gastric hydrochloric acid. A variety of substances which inhibit gastric acid secretion (vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, cholecystokinin, beta-adrenergic agonists, and gastric inhibitory peptide) are thought to act by releasing somatostatin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| decoy cells | Benign exfoliated epithelial cell's with pyknotic nuclei seen in urinary infections; may be mistaken for malignant cell's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| suppressor cells | Cells of the immune system that inhibit or help to terminate an immune response, e.g., suppressor macrophages and suppressor T-cells. Synonym: cytotoxic cell. (05 Mar 2000) |
| surface mucous cells of stomach | Cell's lining the gastric surface and foveolae; a glycoprotein product at the apical end of each cell is secreted and forms a mucous protective film. Synonym: theca cells of stomach. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Deiters' cells | <pathology> Cells of the organ of Corti (in the inner ear). (18 Nov 1997) |
| dendritic cells | Immunocompetent cells of the lymphoid and haemopoietic systems and skin. They are also called interdigitating, reticular, and veiled cells. They function morphologically and phenotypically by presenting or processing antigens, thereby stimulating cellular immunity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sympathicotropic cells | Large epithelioid cells in the hilum of the ovary associated with unmyelinated nerve fibres. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Dogiel's cells | The different cell types in cerebrospinal ganglia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Ito cells | Fat-containing cell's lining hepatic sinusoids. (05 Mar 2000) |
| OKT-cells | Cell's recognised by monoclonal antibodies to T lymphocyte antigens: OKT-3 cell's are T lymphocytes as a class, since all share a common leukocyte differentiation antigen; OKT-4 cell's are helper cell's; OKT-8 cell's are suppressor cell's. OKT-4/OKT-8 expresses the ratio of helper to suppressor cell's, sometimes used as a measure of the functional status of the immune system and thus a basis for clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Current usage favours using CD designations. Origin: Ortho-Kung T-cell (05 Mar 2000) |