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HistologyTypes of tissuesConnective tissueNeutrophil
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HistologyTypes of tissuesConnective tissueNeutrophil

Neutrophil

Author: Christina Loukopoulou, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 04, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Blood [15:56]
Microscopic appearance of the blood.
Neutrophil
Granulocytus neutrophilus
1/2
Synonyms: Neutrophilic granulocyte, Polymorphonuclear leucocyte , show more...

Neutrophils are a type of leukocytes that make up over half of the volume of white blood cells. They form in the bone marrow and travel throughout the body in the blood, tissues and lymph nodes.

Neutrophils are a subset of granulocytes. Their cytoplasm stains lightly and contains small, lavender colored granules. They are about 12-15 micrometers in diameter and have dark-staining multilobed nuclei. 

Neutrophils are active phagocytes that ingest bacteria and release enzymes to eliminate them. They can be considered the first responders of the (innate) immune system as they are often the first leukocytes to be activated in response to a invading pathogen.

Terminology English: Neutrophil

Latin: Granulocytus neutrophilus
Definition Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, that act as the immune system's first line of defense.
Function Neutrophils are responsible for killing and digesting invading bacteria.

Learn more about the different components of blood in the following study unit:

Blood Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  • Ross, M. H. Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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