definitions

Barr body

[ bahr ]
/ bɑr /

noun

a condensed, inactivated X chromosome present in most female mammals in the nuclei of all cells except the germ cells: used, as in sports competitions, to verify that an individual is genetically female.

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Origin of Barr body

1960–65; after Murray L. Barr (born 1908), Canadian physician
Also called sex chromatin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for barr body

Barr body

[ bär ]

n.

The condensed, inactive, single X-chromosome found in the nuclei of somatic cells of most female mammals and whose presence is the basis of sex determination tests that are performed, for example, on athletes.sex chromatin
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.