1. Plural of histiocyte; large phagocytic cells found in connective tissue that are part of the reticuloendothelial system and help remove pathogens and debris.
Usage: medical/scientific term; also called macrophages in certain contexts

Examples

• Histiocytes play a crucial role in the immune response by engulfing bacteria and dead cells.
• Under the microscope, histiocytes appear as large, irregularly shaped cells with abundant cytoplasm.
• The accumulation of histiocytes in certain tissues can indicate an inflammatory condition.
• Histiocytes are derived from bone marrow precursor cells and migrate throughout the body.
• In histology, histiocytes can be identified using specific staining techniques and markers.