Phagocyte

Phagocytes (from the Greek words phagein, meaning 'to eat or devour', and kutos, meaning 'hollow vessel') are cells that are found in the blood, bone marrow and other tissues of vertebrates. Phagocytes ingest pathogenic and infectious agents in the body. Like all cells involved in the immune system, they originate in the bone marrow. Phagocytes derive from a group of stem cells in the bone marrow called myeloid progenitor cells. Phagocytes are the basis of defense in the innate immune system; these cells ingest pathogens and often take part in antigen presentation. The types of phagocytes include neutrophils, macrophages, and monocytes. Dendritic cells also participate in phagocytosis and presentation of antigens to other cells that are important in the immune response.