In pathology, Aschoff cells (or Aschoff giant cells) are cells associated with rheumatic heart disease. They are found in Aschoff bodies surrounding centres of fibrinoid necrosis.[citation needed]
In comparison with Anitschkow cells their cytoplasm is more basophilic and can contain up to four nuclei.[1]
Aschoff believed that Aschoff giant cells were some type of connective or endothelial tissue.[2] Today Aschoff cells are considered to be derived from cardiac myocytes rather than connective tissue cells.[1]

H&E stain with visible Aschoff cells in rheumatic heart disease.

Aschoff cells were named after the German physician and pathologist Ludwig Aschoff.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b Aschoff Body. [online]. [cit. 2014-02-25]. Retrieved from http://www.histopathology-india.net/Asch.htm Archived 2014-07-30 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Wedum, B. G; McGuire, J. W (1963). "Origin of the Aschoff Body". Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 22 (3): 127–141. doi:10.1136/ard.22.3.127. PMC 1007339. PMID 13999453.