There are a bunch of different kinds of big, multinucleated cells in pathology. Here’s a question that you can use to test your knowledge of these cells. The answer is right below the question, so if you want to see if you can answer correctly, cover up everything below the question.
What is the name of this large, multinucleated cell found in a patient with tuberculosis?
A. Osteoblast
B. Langhans giant cell
C. Foreign body giant cell
D. Touton giant cell
E. Langerhans cell
The answer is: Langhans giant cell. This cell is named after Theodor Langhans, a German pathologist. It is a specific type of giant cell in which several epithelioid (meaning the cells are big and pink, like the cells of the skin) macrophages fuse together, the nuclei forming a cute horse-shoe shape around the periphery of the cell. In the past, Langhans cells were said to be specific for tuberculosis, but they are now known to occur in many types of granulomatous diseases.
By the way, Langhans cells should not be confused with Langerhans cells, which are skin dendritic cells derived (like Langhans cells) from monocytes. Why do they have to have such similar sounding names?
Another type of giant cell with multiple nuclei is the Touton giant cell, which is seen in lipid-laden lesions like fat necrosis. Touton giant cells also consist of fused epithelioid macrophages. However, in Touton giant cells, the nuclei form a ring and are surrounded by foamy cytoplasm.
You’ll undoubtedly see a few foreign body giant cells as you go through your pathology course. These occur when the body is exposed to – you guessed it – a foreign substance (like talc or sutures). Foreign body giant cells are formed by the same process (a bunch of epithelioid macrophages fuse together). However, the nuclei are arranged centrally and in an overlapping fashion (check out the image below).
Thanks!
Now that makes sense!
Thanks…………that makes a lot of sense.
lovely concise explanations.
thanks
why do different types of these giant cells have different types of nuclear arrangement’s?
I have no idea! Great question. It probably has to do with different cytokine production stimulating different cytoskeletal arrangements…
Thank you for prompt reply Kristine Madam. Even I searched for the answer for that question in many articles and books but no wear it was mentioned but logically I feel that any cell which is secreting the nucleus will be pushed to the periphery for example serous acini the nucleus is always at the periphery not in the center same principal is applied hear also the giant cells are trying to secrete the chemicals to eradicate the bacilli (TB). In case of foreign body the material is non bio-degradable so that’s might be the reason they are not in the periphery. Please correct me if I am wrong.
‘thank you sO much’ i never realised they had so Close names’ i cud hve confused them in my exam’ plus never seen thier images before’ thats something Now i wil never forget 🙂
thanks for yours precious knowledges
thanks
That’s very helpful for all medical professionals.Thanks.
Thanks
Thanks
Hi Dr. Kristine ,
I need some solid advice in this .I have searched through my books and wikipedia but I am still struggling between
1) histiocytes 2) Dendritic cells 3) Langerhans cells
wikipedia says Langerhans cells are dendritic cells in the skin and histiocytes are also dendritic cells .So that makes Langerhans cells and Histiocytes both dendritic cells .However dendritic cells are not macrophages they are just antigen presenting cells so how can APCs be macrophages ?Where am I understanding wrong?
thank you for the sharing of knowledge
thank you for the sharing of knowledge. Easily understood
Thanks ur explanation…….