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Definition

noun, plural: lymphoid cells

(1) Any of the cells that mediate the production of immunity, including lymphocytes, lymphoblasts, and plasma cells.

(2) A cell of lymphoid origin; a cell displaying lymphocyte or plasma cell characteristics.

Supplement

Lymphoid cells lack granules, have a compact nucleus, and a transparent cytoplasm. They are involved in producingimmunity. They can be found in lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. In the thymus gland, for instance, the lymphoid cells undergo a process of maturation and education prior to release as T cells into the circulation. On average, the human body contains about 10¹² lymphoid cells, and the normal reference range is (1-5) x 10⁹ lymphoid cells per liter of blood.

Synonym: agranulocyte.
See also: lymphoid tissue, lymphatic system, immune system.