Introduction |
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Introduction:
Leukocytes are a major component of the bodies defence
mechanisms. Leukocytes are involved in virtually all the specific immune
mechanisms and play a role in many of the bodies non-specific defence
mechanisms.
Leukocytes are generated in the bone marrow by the process
of haematopoiesis. In the bone marrow there is a population of stem cells
that are capable of undergoing self - renewal. The stem cells are also
capable of differentiating into all the different classes of leukocytes:
granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils & basophils), monocyte/macrophages,
lymphocytes, and the platelet producing cells - megakaryocytes.
In inflammation, leukocytes aggregate at sites of tissue
injury. The type of leukocyte(s) that gather at the site are used to characterize
the type of inflammatory exudate. Being able to recognize the cells present
in an inflammatory exudate can help you understand what the potential
cause for the inflammatory process is and may guide what further tests
you do and what treatments you initiate.
The objective of this exercise is to enable you to gain
experience at identifying the different types of leukocytes as they appear
in hierological tissue sections.
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