CELLULAR MORPHOLOGY AND RELATIONSHIPS IN GIANT-CELL LESIONS OF JAWS

The morphologic features of the stromal cells and giant cells in giant-cell tumors and granulomas of the jaws were studied by means of light microscopy. Their prominent large nucleoli, lobulated nuclear membranes, and intensely stained cytoplasm suggest that giant cells are well-differentiated and very active cells, but the precise nature of the activity remains to be determined. There is no evidence that the principal function is phagocytosis. Similarities between the giant cells and some stromal cells were noted morphologically and in staining affinities. No evidence was found to suggest that the giant cells might be of endothelial origin, although they had an intimate relationship with blood vessels and occasionally formed portions of their walls. Further studies involving fluorescence, phase-contrast, and electron microscopy are now in progress in an effort to determine the functional potentials of the giant cells and the stromal cells in these lesions. © 1969.