What is "phagolysosome"

n. (context biology English) A membrane-bound organelle which is formed from the fusing of a lysosome and a phagosome

A phagolysosome is a cytoplasmic body formed by the fusion of a phagosome, containing ingested particles, with a lysosome containing hydrolytic enzymes. After fusion, the food particles or pathogens contained within the phagosome are usually digested by the hydrolytic enzymes contained within the lysosome. Products of the digestion are either moved into the cytoplasm (useful materials) or exported by exocytosis. Phagolysosome formation follows phagocytosis. It is common in immunological functions of macrophages and forms the home of several infectious agents including Leishmania.