PMN is an abbreviation for which type of immune cell?

Study for the Pediatric Dentistry II Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

PMN stands for polymorphonuclear neutrophil, a primary white blood cell of the innate immune system. Neutrophils are the first responders to bacterial infection and are packed with granules that hold antimicrobial substances. Their nucleus is multi-lobed, giving the characteristic polymorphonuclear appearance. They migrate to sites of inflammation, engulf pathogens through phagocytosis, and destroy them via the respiratory burst and enzymes released from their granules. In the oral environment, neutrophils help control plaque bacteria and prevent local infections. The other options describe cells that are not PMNs: a neuron is a nerve cell; macrophages are mononuclear phagocytes derived from monocytes; and lymphocytes are also mononuclear. Therefore, the correct type is polymorphonuclear neutrophil.