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Neutrophils:
Neutrophils range from about 10 to 12 microns in diameter.
They have a characteristic segmented nucleus and abundant granules in
their cytoplasm.
The granules in neutrophils do not take up basic or acidic dyes very well
- they are "neutral"
The major function of neutrophils is phagocytosis. They
are usually the first cell type recruited to a site of tissue injury.
They respond very rapidly to inflammatory stimuli but are relatively short
lived (12 - 24 hours) and incapable of cell division. They are very effective
phagocytes with a potent armoury of enzymes present in their primary and
secondary granules that are capable of killing many microorganisms. One
drawback of the neutrophil response is that if this potent array of enzymes
is released into the local tissues, they can cause significant local tissue
damage.
 
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