RESIDENT CELLS OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE – GIANT CELLS
Foreign body giant cells are formed by the fusion of macrophages and occur in some types of inflammatory reactions, mainly in those called a granulomas.
The fusion results in very large, multinucleated cells.
Giant cells enclose structures that are difficult to digest, such as cellulose fibers, mineral particles, and groups of certain bacteria, such as the tuberculosis bacilli.
The figure shows a granuloma that was generated after the insertion of a cotton thread (which is formed by cellulose fibers) in the skin of a laboratory animal. A granuloma was containing a large number of multinucleated giant cells surrounding the cellulose fibers of the thread. The appear clear because they do not stain with with the hematoxykin and eosine stains.
Top figure: After the moving the cursor over the cytoplasm of giant cells becomes highlighted in green and their nuclei in orange.
Bottom figure: The cytoplasm of the giant cells becomes highlighted in orange and the nuclei in blue. A cotton fiber enwrapped by the citoplasm of a giant cell is highlighted in yellow.
The fusion results in very large, multinucleated cells.
Giant cells enclose structures that are difficult to digest, such as cellulose fibers, mineral particles, and groups of certain bacteria, such as the tuberculosis bacilli.
The figure shows a granuloma that was generated after the insertion of a cotton thread (which is formed by cellulose fibers) in the skin of a laboratory animal. A granuloma was containing a large number of multinucleated giant cells surrounding the cellulose fibers of the thread. The appear clear because they do not stain with with the hematoxykin and eosine stains.
Top figure: After the moving the cursor over the cytoplasm of giant cells becomes highlighted in green and their nuclei in orange.
Bottom figure: The cytoplasm of the giant cells becomes highlighted in orange and the nuclei in blue. A cotton fiber enwrapped by the citoplasm of a giant cell is highlighted in yellow.
Dermis. Staining: hematoxylin and eosin. Magnification: medium.
Dermis. Staining: hematoxylin and eosin. Magnification: medium.