definitions

melanosome

[ muh-lan-uh-sohm, mel-uh-nuh- ]
/ məˈlæn əˌsoʊm, ˈmɛl ə nə- /

noun Cell Biology.

an organelle in melanocytes that synthesizes and stores melanin.

Nearby words

melanophore, melanoplakia, melanosis, melanosis coli, melanosity, melanosome, melanospermous, melanotic, melanotic carcinoma, melanotic neuroectodermal tumor, melanotic whitlow

Origin of melanosome

First recorded in 1935–40; melano- + -some3
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for melanosome

melanosome

[ mĕl′ə-nō-sōm′, mə-lăn′ə- ]

n.

Any of the usually oval pigment granules that are produced by melanocytes.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.