chromatolysis

noun

chro·​ma·​tol·​y·​sis ˌkrō-mə-ˈtä-lə-səs 

: 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 

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

Medical Definition

chromatolysis

noun

chro·​ma·​tol·​y·​sis ˌkrō-mə-ˈtäl-ə-səs 

plural chromatolyses -ˌsēz 

: 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- 

adjective