Fixed macrophage
A histiocyte is any macrophage which is stationary within connective tissue. It displays finger-like projections of its surface folds to permit contact with passing particles. It carries out a scavenging, phagocytic role at its site of tethering. Examples include:
- Kuppfer cells within the liver
- microglia within the central nervous system
- alveolar macrophages within the alveolar wall
- pleural and peritoneal macrophages within serous cavities
- osteoclast within bone
- Langerhans cell within the epidermis
Disorders of histiocytes are termed histiocytosis. Tumours of histiocytes are histiocytomas.
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