The giant cells are formed in chronic
inflammation when individual macrophages are not able to deal with the invading
agent . Some macrophages unite one another to form a giant cell but recently it
uis observed that nucleus macrophage will multiply rapidly by a process of
direct cell division but protoplasm will not divide as nucleus . So a giant
cell will contain multiple nuclei .
The type of giant cells are ….
1.. Foreign body giant cell –
This type of giant cell contains about 50 to 100 nuclei and these are found in
–
a)
Tuberculosis
b)
Syphilis
c)
Leprosy
d)
Around the site of suture
e)
At the site of haemorrhage .
In tuberculosis Langhan’s type of giant
cell is found . The nuclei of this type cell will arrange in the periphery in a
regular fashion or may be collected at one pole or both poles of the cell .
In osteoclastoma , chronic osteitis , osteitis fibrosa cystica etc a foreign body giant cell known as
Osteoclastic giant cell is found . Here , the number of nuclei will be 10 to 20
or m ore . . They are placed centrally like a rosette and basophilic in nature
.
2.. Tumour giant cell – The characteristic of tumour giant cells are –
i)
the cells are large in size .
ii)
Nuclei of the cells are oval ,
hyperchronic , few in number and stain darkly
This type of giant cell found in –
i)
Osteogenic sarcoma
ii)
Glioblastoma multoforme .
iii)
Rhabdomyosarcoma
3.. Sterberg Reed cells – These are malign
at reticulum cells ,and found in Hodgkin’s disease .
4..
Aschoff cells – This type of giant cell is found in Aschoff bodies
myocardium , synovial membrane ,
periarticular tissue , skin nodules , adventitia of aorta etc .
5.. Naturally occuring giant cell –
Megakaryocyte is occurring giant cell . .
