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chiasma Definition

chi·asma (kī az′mə)

noun pl. chi·as′·mata-tə

  1. a crossing or intersection of the optic nerves in the hypothalamus of the brain
  2. a point of contact between chromosomes during meiosis where two chromatids interchange corresponding segments
  3. any crosswise function

Etymology: ModL < Gr chiasma, a crosspiece < chiasmos, placing crosswise < chiazein, to mark with a chi (χ)

Browse dictionary entries near chiasma

  1. ‹ chiasm
  2. ‹ chiaroscuro
  3. ‹ Chiapas
  4. ‹ Chianti
  5. ‹ Chiang Mai
  6. ‹ Chiang Kai-shek
  7. ‹ Chian
  8. ‹ chi-square test
  9. ‹ chi-square
  10. ‹ chi
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