Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
mastocyte

mastocyte

9.9
A large cell in body tissue that releases chemicals like histamine during allergies, causing itching and swelling
  • noun
  • /ˈmæstəˌsaɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mastocito
  • Mast cells, also known as mastocytes, play a crucial role in allergy responses.

Examples

  • The release of histamine by mastocytes can trigger itching and swelling.

  • Scientists observed an increase in mastocytes in inflamed tissue samples.

  • A mastocyte is crucial for immune responses.

  • The mastocytes release histamine during allergic reactions.

  • Scientists observed an increase in mastocytes in inflamed tissue samples.

  • The release of histamine by mastocytes can trigger itching and swelling.

  • The mastocytes release histamine during allergic reactions.

Synonyms

mast cell
vsmastocyte
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A large cell in body tissue that releases chemicals during allergic reactions and inflammation

is an alternative form of the same name used in certain contexts
labrocyte
vsmastocyte
  • Archaic
9.9

A large cell in the body's connective tissue that releases chemicals like histamine, heparin, and serotonin during allergic reactions

focuses on allergic reactions and inflammation rather than injury

Surface Forms

mastocyte singular
mastocytes plural

Morphology

mastocyte = mast cell (semi-transparent) = masto + cyte

The word denotes a type of cell (the '-cyte' element corresponds to 'cell'), but the combining forms 'masto-' and '-cyte' are technical and not transparently meaningful to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word mastocyte comes from the German mast meaning 'fattening' and the Greek part -cyte meaning 'cell'. It was named because these cells looked full of tiny packets, as if 'well fed', and today a mastocyte is a cell that stores chemicals like histamine and helps cause allergy and swelling.