chromatolysis
Pronunciation: kroh-MAT-oh-ly-sis
Pathological dissolution of Nissl substance in neuronal cell bodies following injury or disease.
Full Definition
Chromatolysis refers to the breakdown and loss of Nissl substance (rough endoplasmic reticulum) within neuronal cytoplasm, typically occurring as a response to cellular stress, axonal injury, or disease processes. This change appears microscopically as a loss of the characteristic basophilic staining pattern in neurons and often indicates cellular dysfunction or impending death. Chromatolysis is commonly observed in conditions such as ischemia, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, serving as an important diagnostic marker in neuropathological examination.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguished from central chromatolysis, which specifically refers to perinuclear clearing.
In Context
- "Severe chromatolysis was evident in motor neurons throughout the anterior horn of the spinal cord." — Histopathology report
- "The presence of chromatolysis indicated significant neuronal stress in the affected tissue." — Diagnostic assessment