chiasma

[ kahy-az-muh ]

/ kaɪˈæz mə /

noun, plural chi·as·mas, chi·as·ma·ta [kahy-az-muh-tuh] /kaɪˈæz mə tə/.

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.

Nearby words

Also chi·asm

[kahy-az-uh m] /ˈkaɪ æz əm/.

Origin of chiasma

1830–40; < Greek: crosspiece of wood, cross-bandage, equivalent to chi chi¹ + -asma noun suffix

Related formschi·as·mal, chi·as·mic, chi·as·mat·ic

[kahy-az-mat-ik] /ˌkaɪ æzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for chiasmic

chiasma

chiasm (ˈkaɪæzəm)

/ (kaɪˈæzmə) /

noun plural -mas, -mata (-mətə) or -asms

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

Derived Formschiasmal or chiasmic, adjective

Word Origin for chiasma

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for chiasmic

chiasma

"a crossing," 1832, medical Latin, from Greek khiasma "two things placed crosswise," which is related to khiasmos (see chiasmus). In cytology from 1911.

Medicine definitions for chiasmic

chiasma

[ kī-ăz′mə ]

n. pl. chi•as•mas

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.

Related formschi•as′mal null null adj.