giant cell

giant cell

n.

An unusually large cell, especially a large multinucleated phagocytic cell.

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giant cell,

n an abnormally large tissue cell. It often contains more than one nucleus and may appear as a merger of several normal cells.

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giant cell

1. very large cells in normal tissue, e.g. megakaryocytes in bone marrow.

2. multinucleate macrophages found around foreign bodies and in granulomas. Three variants of multinucleated giant cells are recognized—Langhans, Touton and foreign body. Differentiation is based on the distribution of their nuclei.

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giant cell epulis

peripheral giant cell granulomas appearing as bright red, smooth gingival masses in cats and dogs; includes hyperplastic epithelium and many giant cells in densely cellular stroma.

extraskeletal giant cell tumor

see malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

epidermal multinucleated giant cell

found in viral infections and chronic, pruritic dermatoses characterized by epidermal hyperplasia or dyskeratosis.