Epithelioid cell

As epithelioid cells of mesenchymal origin are referred to, whose appearance resembles that of epithelial cells., Point at each other on a close integration of its cell membranes.

Epithelioid in the strict sense are descendants of the mononuclear phagocytic system. Under the influence of T helper cells they evolve by differentiation from macrophages or histiocytes.

The cells are 20-40 microns in size, the nucleus is shaped shoe sole and euchromatic and the cytoplasm is limited pale and blurred. Epithelioid cells secrete various enzymes, but can phagocytose little. In granulomatous inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or they appear as an important cell type in the granulomas. The epithelioid cells surround the center of the granuloma, so pathogens or noxious substances are separated from healthy tissue ( embankments ). Enzymes and toxic metabolites of the pathogen to be kept as largely local.