chiasma Hear it!

chiasma definition

chi·asma (kī az′mə)

noun pl. chiasmata 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)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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