Sunday, May 3, 2015

Monocytes

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.




0 comments:

Post a Comment