Anatomy

Langerhans Cells

Recirculating, dendritic, antigen-presenting cells containing characteristic racket-shaped granules (Birbeck granules). They are found principally in the stratum spinosum of the EPIDERMIS and are rich in Class II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX molecules. Langerhans cells were the first dendritic cell to be described and have been a model of study for other dendritic cells (DCs), especially other migrating DCs such as dermal DCs and INTERSTITIAL DENDRITIC CELLS.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Recirculating, dendritic, antigen-presenting cells containing characteristic racket-shaped granules (Birbeck granules). They are found principally in the stratum spinosum of the EPIDERMIS and are rich in Class II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX molecules. Langerhans cells were the first dendritic cell to be described and have been a model of study for other dendritic cells (DCs), especially other migrating DCs such as dermal DCs and INTERSTITIAL DENDRITIC CELLS.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

21 entry terms
  • Dendritic Cells, Epidermal
  • Epidermal Dendritic Cells
  • Langerhans Cell
  • Cell, Epidermal Dendritic
  • Cell, Langerhans
  • Cells, Epidermal Dendritic
  • Cells, Langerhans
  • Dendritic Cell, Epidermal
  • Epidermal Dendritic Cell
  • Dendritic Cells, Dermal
  • Dendritic Cells, Skin
  • Dermal Dendritic Cells
  • Skin Dendritic Cells
  • Cell, Dermal Dendritic
  • Cell, Skin Dendritic
  • Cells, Dermal Dendritic
  • Cells, Skin Dendritic
  • Dendritic Cell, Dermal
  • Dendritic Cell, Skin
  • Dermal Dendritic Cell
  • Skin Dendritic Cell

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

cutaneous cells: do not confuse with ISLETS OF LANGERHANS (pancreas) nor with GIANT CELLS, LANGHANS (macrophages)

MeSH Record

History Note

73(69)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Cytoplasmic Granules (1966-1968)
  • Epithelium (1966-1968)
  • Skin (1966-1968)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A11w.066w.270w.500w
  2. A11w.436.270w.545w
  3. A15.382w.066w.270w.500w
  4. A15.382w.670.260w.500w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Langerhans Cells. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D007801. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D007801
  2. Langerhans Cells. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langerhans_cell
  3. Langerhans Cells. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1623344