| Plasma cell | |
|---|---|
 Micrograph of malignant plasma cells (plasmacytoma), many displaying characteristic "clockface nuclei", also seen in normal plasma cells. H&E stain. | |
 Micrograph of a plasma cell with distinct clear perinuclear region of the cytoplasm, which contains large numbers of Golgi bodies. | |
| Details | |
| System | Lymphatic system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | plasmocytus |
| MeSH | D010950 |
| TH | H2.00.03.0.01006 |
| FMA | 70574 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Plasma cells, also called plasma B cells or effector B cells, are white blood cells that originate in the lymphoid organs as B cells[1][2] and secrete large quantities of proteins called antibodies in response to being presented specific substances called antigens. These antibodies are transported from the plasma cells by the blood plasma and the lymphatic system to the site of the target antigen (foreign substance), where they initiate its neutralization or destruction. B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibody molecules closely modeled after the receptors of the precursor B cell.[3]
- ^ Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology 14th edition: unit 6, chapter 35.
- ^ "Plasma Cell - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics".
- ^ "Plasma cell - biology". britannica.com.