polymorphonuclear

[ pol-ee-mawr-fuh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler ]

adjective

, Cell Biology.

1. (of a leukocyte) having a lobulate nucleus.

polymorphonuclear

/ ˌpɒlɪˌmɔːfəʊˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. (of a leucocyte) having a lobed or segmented nucleus See also polymorph

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymorphonuclear¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; poly- + morpho- + nuclear

Example Sentences

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes restrict growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.

From Nature

Like quinine, it arrests the normal amoeboid movements of the polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and has a definite antiperiodic action; but it is a very poor substitute for quinine in malaria.

From Project Gutenberg

The Polymorphonuclear Cell.—This possesses a nucleus of very complicated outline and a fair amount of protoplasm filled with numbers of fine granules which stain with eosin.

From Project Gutenberg

The polymorphonuclear and eosinophile cells are derived from the bone-marrow, each by division of specific mother cells located in that tissue.

From Project Gutenberg

In the one form these are lymphocytes, which are found in health mainly in the marrow, the blood itself, the lymph glands and in the lymphatic tissue round the alimentary canal; in the other they are the kinds of leucocytes normally found in the bone-marrow-myelocytes, neutrophile, basophile and eosinophile, and polymorphonuclear cells, also neutrophile, basophile and eosinophile.

From Project Gutenberg