Langhans Type Giant Cells are a type of cell found in the body, which are named after their discoverer Theodor Langhans. The spelling of this term is based on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which is used to represent the pronunciation of words. In IPA, the term is pronounced as /ˈlɑːŋhænz/ and /taɪp/ and /ˈdʒaɪənt/ /sɛlz/. The Langhans Type Giant Cells are commonly found in granulomas, which are small clusters of immune cells that form around foreign substances in the body.
Langhans type giant cells, also known as Langhans cells or Langhans giant cells, are multinucleated cells that are a characteristic feature of certain pathological conditions. These cells are named after Theodor Langhans, a German pathologist who first described them in the late 19th century.
Langhans type giant cells are typically found in granulomatous lesions, which are masses of immune cells that form in response to chronic inflammation or infection. These cells are often seen in conditions such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and certain fungal infections. They are also found in some autoimmune diseases.
These giant cells are distinctive because they have a horseshoe or semi-circle arrangement of nuclei within a single cytoplasmic mass. This arrangement gives them a characteristic appearance under a microscope, resembling a row of nuclei along the periphery of the cell. The nuclei of Langhans cells are often oval or elongated in shape.
The formation of Langhans type giant cells is believed to be a defensive response by the body to contain and eliminate infectious agents or foreign substances. The multinucleation is thought to result from the fusion of macrophages, a type of immune cell involved in engulfing and destroying pathogens.
In conclusion, Langhans type giant cells are multinucleated cells that are commonly observed in granulomatous lesions. They are characterized by a horseshoe arrangement of nuclei within a single cytoplasmic mass, and are associated with various infectious and inflammatory conditions.