Plasmacytes
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Plasmacytes, or 'winged cells,' are special connective tissue cells described by Ranvier in 1899. They were thought to release particles from their protoplasmic extensions ('wings') into surrounding tissue fluid, a phenomenon called clasmatosis, though this property was later found not to be constant.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Plasmacytes (from Greek klasma-fragment, piece and cytos-cell), 'winged cells,' special cells of connective tissue, from the processes of whose protoplasm ('wings') according to Ranvier's observations, small particles separate, dissolving in the surrounding tissue fluid (the phenomenon so-called clasmatosis). The term K. was introduced by Ranvier in 1899. In view of the fact that these cells have a tendency to be located near vessels, in their adventitia, they were also called adventitial K. Subsequently, however, it became clear that the phenomenon of clasmatosis described by Ranvier by no means can be considered a constant property of these cells; therefore the name K. as inappropriate was gradually supplanted by other designations, namely the names: adventitial cells (Marchand), wandering cells in rest (Maksimov). For more details - see Wandering cells.
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“Plasmacytes.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/plasmacytes/