LYMPHOCYTE Meaning and
Definition
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A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system of animals, including humans. These small, round cells are an integral part of the body's defense mechanism against diseases, infections, and abnormal cells.
Lymphocytes are produced mainly in the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, such as the spleen and lymph nodes. They are responsible for recognizing foreign substances, called antigens, in the body and initiating an immune response. There are three main types of lymphocytes: T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells.
T cells, aptly named because they mature in the thymus gland, are involved in cell-mediated immunity. They help in recognizing and destroying infected cells, as well as activating other immune cells. B cells, on the other hand, develop in the bone marrow and are responsible for producing antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction or neutralization. Lastly, natural killer cells are capable of directly killing virus-infected cells and tumor cells through a process known as cytotoxicity.
Lymphocytes are a vital component of the immune system's response to infections, as they provide long-term immunity by creating memory cells. These memory cells "remember" specific antigens encountered in the past, facilitating a quicker and more effective response upon re-exposure. Lymphocytes help maintain the body's overall health and well-being by preventing and combating various diseases, making them an indispensable part of the immune system.
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1. A white blood corpuscle having no granules in its cytoplasm. There are two varieties of lymphocytes; (a) the small lymphocytes, about the size of a red corpuscle, having a large, homogeneously staining nucleus; these form from 20 to 25 per cent. of the white corpuscles; (b) the large lymphocytes, from 2 to 3 times the size of the preceding and containing a relatively larger proportion of cytoplasm; they form only about 1 per cent. of the white corpuscles. 2. Lymph-corpuscle, a granular white cell indistinguishable from a white blood-corpuscle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LYMPHOCYTE
Etymology of LYMPHOCYTE
The word "lymphocyte" is derived from two components: "lymph" and "cyte".
The term "lymph" comes from the Latin word "lympha", which referred to clear water or pure water. In ancient Greek, "lympha" denoted pure water or clear liquid. Over time, it began to be used to describe the clear fluid found in the lymphatic system, which carries immune cells and other substances throughout the body.
The word "cyte" is derived from the Greek word "kutos", meaning a hollow vessel or container. In scientific terminology, "cyte" is used as a suffix to indicate a cell.
Thus, "lymphocyte" combines the Latin "lympha" representing the clear fluid in the lymphatic system with the Greek "cyte" indicating a cell, to describe a type of immune cell found in lymph.
Similar spelling words for LYMPHOCYTE
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