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mononuclear phagocyte system

A widely distributed collection of both free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow precursor cells by way of monocytes; their substantial phagocytic activity is mediated by immunoglobulin and the serum complement system. In both connective and lymphoid tissue, they may occur as free and fixed macrophages; in the sinusoids of the liver, as kupffer cells; in the lung, as alveolar macrophages; and in the nervous system, as microglia.

Synonym: system of macrophages.