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Webster 1913 Edition


Chiasma

{

Chi′asm

(kī′ăz’m)
, ‖

Chi-as′ma

(kī̍-ăz′mȧ)
, }
Noun.
[NL.
chiasma
, fr. Gr.
χίασμα
two lines placed crosswise, fr. [GREEK] to mark with a χ.]
(Anat.)
A commissure; an intersection or crossing of two tracts; especially, the optic commissure, or crucial union of the optic nerves.
Chi-as′mal
,
Adj.
.

Definition 2024


chiasma

chiasma

English

Alternative forms

Noun

chiasma (plural chiasmas or chiasmata)

  1. (anatomy) A crossing of two nerves, ligaments etc.
  2. (genetics, cytology) The contact point between the two chromatids of a chromosome during meiosis.

Translations

Derived terms

  • optic chiasma