Aschoff cell (caterpillar cell)
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Introduction
The Aschoff cell is an activated & multinucleated histiocyte formed from fusion of Anitschkow cells, inflammatory histiocytes surrounding an area of fibrinoid necrosis in rheumatic heart disease. The central area of fibrinoid necrosis with its surrounding inflammatory cells is called an Aschoff body which is pathognomonic of rheumatic fever. The Aschoff cells have abundant amphophilic cytoplasm & central round-to-ovoid nuclei in which the chromatin is disposed in a central, slender, wavy ribbon resembling a caterpillar (hence the name caterpillar cell).
More general terms
References
- ↑ Cotran et al Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 5th ed. W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA 1994 pg 547-548