chiasma
[kahy-az-muh]
- Anatomy. a crossing or decussation, as that of the optic nerves at the base of the brain.
- Cell Biology. a point of overlap of paired chromatids at which fusion and exchange of genetic material take place during prophase of meiosis.
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Also chi·asm [kahy-az-uh m] /ˈkaɪ æz əm/.
Origin of chiasma
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
chiasma
chiasm (ˈkaɪæzəm)
- cytology the cross-shaped connection produced by the crossing over of pairing chromosomes during meiosis
- anatomy the crossing over of two parts or structures, such as the fibres of the optic nerves in the brain
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Word Origin
C19: from Greek khiasma wooden crosspiece, from khiazein to mark with an X, from khi chi 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for chiasmic
chiasma
n.
"a crossing," 1832, medical Latin, from Greek khiasma "two things placed crosswise," which is related to khiasmos (see chiasmus). In cytology from 1911.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
chiasma
(kī-ăz′mə)- A crossing or intersection of two tracts, as of nerves or ligaments.
- The point of contact between paired chromatids during meiosis, resulting in a cross-shaped configuration and representing the cytological manifestation of crossing over.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.