Definition

Noun: 1. A type of white blood cell: A neutrophil is the most common type of phagocytic leukocyte (white blood cell) in the bloodstream. It is a key component of the innate immune system, rapidly responding to sites of infection by engulfing and destroying bacteria and other pathogens. 2. A cell with specific staining properties: The name derives from its characteristic of staining with neutral dyes, as it does not stain strongly with either basic (alkaline) or acidic dyes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • A high neutrophile count in a blood test often indicates a bacterial infection.
  • The neutrophile migrated through the blood vessel wall to reach the site of the wound.
  • Under the microscope, the neutrophile was identified by its multi-lobed nucleus.

Advanced Usage

• "Neutrophil chemotaxis": The process by which neutrophils are chemically attracted to and move toward a site of infection or inflammation.
  • Chemokines released by damaged tissues guide neutrophil chemotaxis.
• "Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)": A defense mechanism where neutrophils release a web-like structure of DNA and antimicrobial proteins to trap and kill pathogens.
  • The formation of NETs is a crucial, though sometimes inflammatory, immune response.

Variants and Related Words

• Neutrophil (n): The more common modern spelling, synonymous with "neutrophile".
• Neutrophilia (n): A medical condition characterized by an abnormally high number of neutrophils in the blood.
• Neutropenia (n): A medical condition characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophils in the blood.
• Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) (n): Another technical name for a neutrophil, referring to its multi-lobed nucleus.

Synonyms

• Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN): A full technical synonym.
• Granulocyte: A broader category of white blood cells that includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, all containing granules.

Noun

1. the chief phagocytic leukocyte; stains with either basic or acid dyes