Cell
monocyte
mon·o·cyte [ mon-uh-sahyt ]
Subclass of:
Reticuloendothelial System;
Nongranular leukocyte;
Bone Marrow Cells;
Myeloid Cells;
Phagocytes
Etymology:
Greek monos = single + kytos = vessel or cell
This word was coined to mean a certain type of white cell with a single large round or oval nucleus.
This word was coined to mean a certain type of white cell with a single large round or oval nucleus.
Definitions related to monocytes:
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A large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocyte produced in the vertebrate bone marrow and released into the blood; containing a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles.CDISC TerminologyClinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
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A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and travels through the blood to tissues in the body where it becomes a macrophage. Macrophages surround and kill microorganisms, ingest foreign material, remove dead cells, and boost immune responses. A monocyte is a type of white blood cell and a type of phagocyte.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocytes produced in the vertebrate bone marrow and released into the blood and tissues where they develop into macrophages; contain a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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White blood cells that protect the body from disease by attacking and consuming foreign particles.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.