Ultrastructure of interdigitating cells in the human tonsil.
Electron microscopic investigations were performed on palatine tonsils from 12 patients with different disorders. In the tonsils a number of non-lymphatic cells were observed which showed the characteristic features of interdigitating cells (IDC): Interdigitating arrangement of the peripheral cytoplasm and invaginations of the cell membrane; Cells with typical tubulovesicular structure, and Partly an electron-lucent cytoplasm. A difference in functional phase may explain the ultrastructural feature of the IDCs. The nucleus, usually containing one or two nucleoli, is mostly multilobulated. These cells are frequently surrounded by mononuclear cells showing ultrastructural characteristics of T-lymphocytes.
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*