Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Epithelioid cell
Introduction
Epithelioid histiocytes (Epithelioid cells) are activated macrophages resembling epithelial cells:[1] elongated, with finely granular, pale eosinophilic (pink) cytoplasm and central, ovoid nucleus(oval or elongate), which is less dense than that of a lymphocyte. They have indistinct shape contour, often appear to merge into one another and form aggregates.
Clinical significance
Clinical significance
The presence of epithelioid histiocytes may characterise some pathologic conditions, mainly granulomatous inflammation, including Orofacial granulomatosis[2]. The excessive proliferation of them on skin causes reticulohistiocytoma and somewhat it is associated with arthritis.
References
References
- ↑ “Dorlands Medical Dictionary:epithelioid cell”.
- ↑ Bogenrieder T, Rogler G, Vogt T, Landthaler M, Stolz W (2003). “Orofacial granulomatosis as the initial presentation of Crohn’s disease in an adolescent”. Dermatology (Basel). 206 (3): 273–8. doi:10.1159/000068900. PMID 12673090.
External links
External links
- Epithelioid+cells at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]