mast cell

noun

ˈmast- 

: a granulocyte that occurs especially in connective tissue and has basophilic granules containing substances (such as histamine and heparin) which mediate allergic reactions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Over-the-counter antihistamines can help patients with inflammatory problems such as mast cell activation syndrome. —Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2022

The Facebook post's claim that COVID-19 pneumonia is a mast cell degranulation of the lungs is also wrong, according to Dr. Patricia Lugar, an allergy and immunologist specialist at Duke University. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2022

The reaction begins when an antibody activates a component of the immune system known as a mast cell, which then blasts out a barrage of chemicals. —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2015

Valuable lessons can be learned from post-infectious diseases that long Covid often resembles: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or mast cell activation syndrome. —Ryan Prior And Kimberly Knackstedt, STAT, 22 Aug. 2022

Hives are caused when a white blood cell known as a mast cell detects something interpreted as a foreign invader and releases a chemical called histamine. —New York Times, 9 May 2022

Anderson suffers from a mast cell disorder, which means her body cannot easily regulate heat. —Ko Lyn Cheang, The Indianapolis Star, 14 June 2022

Nine months after welcoming their first child with boyfriend Alev Aydin, Halsey has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). —Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 May 2022

The drug was approved to treat the three different subtypes of the blood disorder, which include mast cell leukemia. —BostonGlobe.com, 16 June 2021

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Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German Mastzelle, from Mast food, mast (from Old High German) + Zelle cell

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mast cell

noun

ˈmast- 

: a granulocyte that occurs especially in connective tissue and has basophilic granules containing substances (as histamine and heparin) which mediate allergic reactions