Monocytes are often confused with large lymphocytes, but they are larger
and constitute only 3-8 % of the white blood cells in healthy adults.
Monocytes are found only in the blood, but they remain in circulation
for less than a week before migrating through capillary walls to enter
other tissues or to become incorporated in the lining of sinuses. Once
outside the bloodstream, they become phagocytic and apparently do not
recirculate. Monocytes are the direct precursors to macrophages.
The
mononuclear phagocyte system (portions of which were formerly referred
to as the reticuloendothelial system) consists of monocyte-derived
phagocytic cells distributed throughout the body. Examples include the
Kupffer cells of the liver and some of the macrophages of connective
tissues.
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