melanocyte

melanocyte /mel·a·no·cyte/ (mel´ah-no-sīt) (mĕ-lan´o-sīt) any of the dendritic clear cells of the epidermis that synthesize tyrosinase and, within their melanosomes, the pigment melanin; the melanosomes are then transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes.melanocyt´ic

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mel·a·no·cyte (ml-n-st)

n.

An epidermal cell capable of synthesizing melanin.

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mela·no·cytic (-stk) adj.

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melanocyte

[mel′ənōsīt′, məlen′ōsīt]

Etymology: Gk, melas + kytos, cell

a body cell capable of producing melanin. Melanocytes are distributed throughout the basal cell layer of the epidermis and form melanin pigment from tyrosine, an amino acid. Melanin granules are then transferred to adjacent basal cells and to hair. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone from the pituitary controls the amount of melanin produced.

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melanocyte

any of the dendritic clear cells of the epidermis that synthesize tyrosinase and, within their melanosomes, the pigment melanin; the melanosomes are then transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes.

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melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

a peptide from the anterior pituitary which influences the formation or deposition of melanin in the body, especially in amphibians and fish.

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melanocyte

A pigment-bearing cell. It is found in the iris, the choroid, the retina, the sclera, the skin, etc. See melanin; choroidal naevus; iris naevus.