melanocyte

[ muh-lan-uh-sahyt, mel-uh-nuh- ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a cell producing and containing melanin.

melanocyte

/ ˈmɛlənəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. anatomy zoology a cell, usually in the epidermis, that contains melanin

melanocyte

/ mĕl′ə-nō-sīt′,mə-lăn′ə- /

1. An epidermal cell that synthesizes melanin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of melanocyte¹

First recorded in 1885–90; melano- + -cyte

Example Sentences

Melanoma cells develop from melanocytes -- skin cells that produce melanin.

From Science Daily

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment-producing skin cells called melanocytes “start to grow out of control,” according to the American Cancer Society.

From Los Angeles Times

Basal cell carcinoma is more common and far less deadly than another form of skin cancer, melanoma, which grows in skin cells called melanocytes.

From Seattle Times

Each hair follicle keeps immature melanocyte stem cells in storage.

From New York Times

The arrested development impacts immature cells which would otherwise have developed into melanocytes which give hair its natural colour or shade.

From BBC