cytolytic T cell

noun

variants or less commonly cytolytic T lymphocyte

plural cytolytic T cells also cytolytic T lymphocytes

: cytotoxic T cell

The MHC-peptide complexes move to the surface and become anchored in the cell membrane, ready to be scrutinized by cytolytic T cells.

—Thierry Boon

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cytolytic T cell

noun

variants also cytolytic T lymphocyte

: cytotoxic t cell