chromatolysis

noun

chro·​ma·​tol·​y·​sis ˌkrō-mə-ˈtä-lə-səs How to pronounce chromatolysis (audio)
: the dissolution and breaking up of chromophil material (such as chromatin) of a cell and especially a nerve cell
chromatolytic
krō-ˌma-tə-ˈli-tik How to pronounce chromatolysis (audio)
krə-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French chromatolyse, from chromato- chromato- + -lyse -lysis

Note: Term introduced by the Romanian neurologist Georges Marinesco (Gheorghe Marinescu, 1863-1938), probably first in "Des polynévrites en rapport avec les lésions secondaires et les lésions primitives des cellules nerveuses," Revue neurologique, tome 4 (1896), p. 133.

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromatolysis was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near chromatolysis

chromatography

chromatolysis

chromatone process

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Chromatolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromatolysis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

chromatolysis

noun
chro·​ma·​tol·​y·​sis ˌkrō-mə-ˈtäl-ə-səs How to pronounce chromatolysis (audio)
plural chromatolyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce chromatolysis (audio)
: the dispersal of Nissl substance in the cell body of a neuron resulting from axonal stress (as that induced by injury or neurodegenerative disease)
chromatolytic
krō-ˌmat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik, krə- How to pronounce chromatolysis (audio)
adjective
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