Barr body

noun
\ ˈbär- How to pronounce Barr body (audio) \

Definition of Barr body

: a densely staining inactivated condensed X chromosome that is present in each somatic cell of most female mammals and is used as a test of genetic femaleness (as in a fetus)

called also sex chromatin

First Known Use of Barr body

1961, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Barr body

Murray Llewellyn Barr †1995 Canadian anatomist

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More Definitions for Barr body

Barr body

noun
\ ˈbär- How to pronounce Barr body (audio) \

Medical Definition of Barr body

: a densely staining inactivated condensed X chromosome that is present in each somatic cell of most female mammals and is used as a test of genetic femaleness (as in a fetus or an athlete)

called also sex chromatin