giant cell

gi·ant cell

a cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

giant cell

[jī′ənt]

Etymology: L, gigas, huge, cella, storeroom

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

Any markedly enlarged cell seen in benign or malignant lesions; while giant cells are highly nonspecific, their presence in the proper setting supports the diagnosis of certain diseases; the epithelioid giant cells of Langhans and Touton are associated with infections and other ‘benign’ processes—e.g., sarcoidosis—have abundant cytoplasm and a rim or clutch of enlarged histiocyte-like nuclei; giant cells in tumours are less inhibited by rules of cytologic etiquette and are anointed with adjectival modifiers—e.g., bizarre, monster, osteoclastoma-like, Reed-Sternberg; the cell may be markedly enlarged and mitotically active

giant cell

Any markedly enlarged cell seen in benign or malignant lesions; although GCs are highly nonspecific, their presence in the proper setting supports the diagnosis of certain diseases; the epithelioid GCs of Langerhans and Touton are associated with infections and other 'benign' processes–eg, sarcoidosis, have abundant cytoplasm and a rim or clutch of enlarged histiocyte-like nuclei; GCs in tumors are less inhibited by rules of cytologic etiquette and are anointed with adjectival modifiers–eg, bizarre, monster, osteoclastoma-like, Reed-Sternberg; the cell may be markedly enlarged and mitotically active.

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

giant cell

A large multinucleate cell formed from the fusion of many MACROPHAGES. Giant cells are often a feature of granulomas.

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

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.

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.

---

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.