Anatomy

Langhans Giant Cells

Multinucleated cells (fused macrophages) seen in granulomatous inflammations such as tuberculosis, syphilis, sarcoidosis, and deep fungal infections. They resemble foreign-body giant cells (GIANT CELLS, FOREIGN BODY) but Langhans giant cells contain less chromatin and their nuclei are arranged peripherally in a horseshoe-shaped pattern. Langhans giant cells occur frequently in delayed hypersensitivity.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Multinucleated cells (fused macrophages) seen in granulomatous inflammations such as tuberculosis, syphilis, sarcoidosis, and deep fungal infections. They resemble foreign-body giant cells (GIANT CELLS, FOREIGN BODY) but Langhans giant cells contain less chromatin and their nuclei are arranged peripherally in a horseshoe-shaped pattern. Langhans giant cells occur frequently in delayed hypersensitivity.

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Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Giant Cells, Langhans
  • Langhans-Type Giant Cells
  • Cells, Langhans Giant
  • Cells, Langhans-Type Giant
  • Giant Cells, Langhans-Type
  • Langhans Type Giant Cells

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with LANGERHANS CELLS nor with ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

MeSH Record

History Note

91(90); was see under GIANT CELLS 1990

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Granuloma, Giant Cell (1977-1989)
  • Macrophages (1966-1989)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A11w.329w.372w.380w
  2. A11w.500w.380w
  3. A11w.627.482w.380w
  4. A11w.733w.397w.380w
  5. A15.382w.670.522w.380w
  6. A15.382w.680w.397w.380w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Langhans Giant Cells. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015744. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015744
  2. Langhans Giant Cells. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langhans_giant_cell
  3. Langhans Giant Cells. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1384119