giant cell

gi·ant cell

a cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

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

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

giant cell

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

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012