Neutrophils Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/nuˈtroʊfɪlz/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Etymology

The term “Neutrophils” comes from the Greek words “neutros” meaning “neutral” and “philein” meaning “to love”. It was first coined by German neurologist Rudolf Jürgensen in the 19th century.

Definition

A type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system, characterized by its neutral staining properties and its ability to engulf and digest foreign particles and bacteria.

Examples

• Neutrophils are an essential component of the body’s defense against infection.
• Neutrophils are often found in large numbers in the blood stream during a bacterial infection.

Synonyms

• Polymorphonuclear cells
• Granzymes

Antonyms

• Lymphocytes
• Macrophages

Additional Information

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in the human body, accounting for approximately 50-70% of the total leukocyte count. They play a crucial role in the host defense against bacterial infections by engulfing and digesting foreign particles and bacteria. Neutrophils are also involved in the process of inflammation, where they release chemical mediators that attract other immune cells to the site of infection.

Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood stream, where they can be activated by various stimuli to undergo a process called degranulation, in which they release their granule contents into the surrounding tissue.

Usage Notes

In medical contexts, the term “Neutrophils” is often used to refer to the number of Neutrophils in a patient’s blood sample, which can be an indicator of infection or inflammation.

Cultural References

Neutrophils have been referenced in various scientific and medical contexts, such as in the film “Contagion” where a character discusses the importance of Neutrophils in the immune system.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

The term “Neutrophils” is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions or phrases, but it can be used in medical or scientific contexts to refer to the importance of Neutrophils in the immune system.

Related Words or Phrases

• Granulocytes
• Lymphocytes
• Macrophages

Collocations

• Neutrophils and inflammation
• Neutrophils and infection

Frequency of Use

The term “Neutrophils” is relatively rare in everyday language, but it is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts to refer to the importance of Neutrophils in the immune system.

Common Misspellings

• Neutrophyls
• Neutrophill