noun
phagocyte
A biological term for a cell that engulfs and absorbs foreign particles, bacteria, or cell debris. Often used in medical and scientific contexts.
See also: 食細胞
マクロファージは代表的な貪食細胞の一つです。
Macrophages are one of the typical phagocytes.
食細胞 is a broader term for any cell that performs phagocytosis, while 貪食細胞 specifically emphasizes the 'devouring' aspect and is often used synonymously with phagocyte.
Compound of 貪食 (devouring, phagocytosis) and 細胞 (cell). The term is a direct translation of the English 'phagocyte'.