melanocyte

melanocyte

 [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. adj., adj melanocyt´ic.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

mel·a·no·cyte

(mel'ă-nō-sīt),

A pigment-producing cell located in the basal layer of the epidermis with branching processes by means of which melanosomes are transferred to epidermal cells, resulting in pigmentation of the epidermis. It is also present in the basal layer of the epithelium of the oral cavity.

Synonym(s): melanodendrocyte, pigment cell of skin

[melano- + G. kytos, cell]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

melanocyte

(mĕl′ə-nō-sīt′)

n.

An epidermal cell capable of synthesizing melanin.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

melanocyte

A specialised cell found at the dermal-epidermal junction—as well as the uvea, inner ear and meninges—which produces and stores melanin.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

mel·a·no·cyte

(mel'ă-nō-sīt)

A pigment-producing cell located in the basal layer of the epidermis with branching processes by means of which melanosomes are transferred to epidermal cells, resulting in pigmentation of the epidermis.

[melano- + G. kytos, cell]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

melanocyte

A pigment cell of the skin. A cell carrying MELANIN or capable of producing melanin.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

melanophore

or

melanocyte

a type of pigment cell (or CHROMATOPHORE) that contains the pigment melanin, usually found in the skin of animals. It has a protective or camouflage function.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

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.

Millodot: Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science, 7th edition. © 2009 Butterworth-Heinemann