Granulocyte
A type of white blood cell that is filled with microscopic granules, little sacs containing enzymes that digest microorganisms. Granulocytes are part of the innate immune system, and they have somewhat nonspecific, broad-based activity. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do B-cells and T-cells. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all types of granulocytes, and their names are derived from the staining features of their granules in the laboratory, a naming scheme that dates back to a time when certain structures could be identified in cells by histochemistry, but the functions of these intracellular structures were still not known.
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- Granulation
That part of the healing process in which lumpy, pink tissue containing new connective tissue and capillaries forms around the edges of a wound. Granulation of a wound is normal and desirable.
- Granulocytopenia
Neutrophils have “neutral” subtle granules; Eosinophils have prominent granules that stain readily with the acid dye eosin; and Basophils have prominent granules that stain readily basic (non acidic) dyes. This classification dates back to a time when certain structures could be identified in cells by histochemistry, but the functions of these intracellular structures were still […]
- Granuloma
A granuloma is one of a number of forms of localized nodular inflammation found in tissues. The fact that a granuloma is localized is important. So is its nodularity. Granulomas have a typical pattern when examined under a microscope. Granulomas can be caused by a variety of biologic, chemical and physical irritants of tissue. A […]
- Granuloma annulare
This condition usually clears up by itself (it is “usually self-limited); it is not malignant (it is “benign”); we don’t have a clue as to what causes it (it is “of unknown etiology”); it affects the layer (the “dermis”) of the skin just below the outside layer (the epidermis). A granuloma is a localized nodular […]
- Granuloma, calcified
A granuloma that contains calcium deposits. Because it usually takes time for calcium to be deposited in a granuloma, a calcified granuloma is generally assumed to be an old granuloma.