Asteroid Body

Compartment: Reticular Dermis

Illustration of a multinucleated giant cell containing a star-shaped, eosinophilic asteroid body with radiating spines at its center.
Asteroid body: stellate eosinophilic inclusion within a multinucleated giant cell, seen in sarcoidosis.

Definition: A stellate, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion found within multinucleated giant cells in granulomatous inflammation, classically sarcoidosis.

Clinical Context: Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, Foreign body granuloma, Granuloma annulare

Key Feature: Star-shaped, brightly eosinophilic inclusion with radiating spines inside a Langhans or foreign body giant cell.

🔗 Related Terms: Touton Giant Cell