Lymphocyte vs. Macrophage — What's the Difference?

A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the immune system of jawed vertebrates. Lymphocytes include natural killer cells (which function in cell-mediated, cytotoxic innate immunity), T cells (for cell-mediated, cytotoxic adaptive immunity), and B cells (for humoral, antibody-driven adaptive immunity).

Macrophages (abbreviated as Mφ, MΦ or MP) (Greek: large eaters, from Greek μακρός (makrós) = large, φαγεῖν (phagein) = to eat) are a type of white blood cell of the immune system that engulfs and digests anything that does not have, on its surface, proteins that are specific to healthy body cells, including cancer cells, microbes, cellular debris, foreign substances, etc. The process is called phagocytosis, which acts to defend the host against infection and injury.These large phagocytes are found in essentially all tissues, where they patrol for potential pathogens by amoeboid movement.

Any of a class of white blood cells of the vertebrate immune system, including the B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, that in mammals derive from a common progenitor in the bone marrow and are found chiefly in lymph, lymphoid tissues, and blood.

Any of various large, phagocytic white blood cells that develop from monocytes, are found in the spleen, liver, and other tissues, and have a variety of functions in the immune system including engulfing and destroying pathogens and dead cells, presenting antigens to activate lymphocytes, and releasing cytokines that mediate inflammation.

Any of several types of white blood cell with a spherical nucleus occurring in the lymphatic system, including B cells, T cells and natural killer cells.

A white blood cell that phagocytizes necrotic cell debris and foreign material, including viruses, bacteria, and tattoo ink. It presents foreign antigens on MHC II to lymphocytes. Part of the innate immune system.

An agranulocytic leukocyte that normally makes up a quarter of the white blood cell count but increases in the presence of infection

A large phagocyte.

A large phagocyte; some are fixed and other circulate in the blood stream