The Kupffer cells are present in the?

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

Kupffer cells are specialized, fixed macrophages located within the liver.
They line the walls of the liver's blood vessels, known as hepatic sinusoids.
Their main role is to filter the blood coming from the portal vein, removing bacteria, cellular debris, and old red blood cells through phagocytosis.
They represent the largest population of fixed macrophages in the body.

Option A: The resident macrophages in bone tissue are called osteoclasts.
Option B: The resident macrophages of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are known as microglia.
Option C: The macrophages found in the alveoli of the lungs are called alveolar macrophages or 'dust cells'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomical location of specialized macrophages (Kupffer cells) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Kupffer cells form the first line of defense against bacteria absorbed from the gut into the portal circulation, playing a key role in preventing systemic infections.
In patients with severe liver disease like cirrhosis, Kupffer cell function is often impaired. This makes the patient highly susceptible to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
What if? A patient has a portosystemic shunt due to severe cirrhosis. In this case, blood from the gut bypasses the liver and its Kupffer cells, allowing gut bacteria to directly enter systemic circulation, dramatically increasing the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and sepsis.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Kupffer cells'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of histology and the specific names of cells in different organs.
Access your memory about the mononuclear phagocyte system, which is a family of specialized immune cells (macrophages) located in different tissues.
Systematically evaluate each option by recalling the specific macrophage for that organ: 'Bones' have osteoclasts, 'Brain' has microglia, and 'Lung' has alveolar macrophages.
Recall that 'Kupffer cells' are the specific term for macrophages found in the 'Liver'.
Select the option that correctly matches the cell type with its organ.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q2qtPVcI_-nJ0Ny9GHOr1F

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 531-533

E6 Histology Inderbir 11e p. 57-59

Practise the full UPRVUNL - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.