Definition of melanocyte
: an epidermal cell that produces melanin
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Recent Examples of melanocyte from the Web
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The worst-case scenario occurs when a skin cell, like a melanocyte, mutates and becomes cancerous—but UV rays also cause free-radical damage in the skin, which can lead to premature aging, sun spots, and immune-system damage.
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Melanoma, which starts in those pigment-providing melanocytes, can be much more lethal.
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When these melanocytes go into overdrive and produce too much color, the dark spots can occur.
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Melanoma is a cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells that produce the skin-color pigment melanin.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color.
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General vitiligo is believed to be an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
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High temps — anything above 90 degrees — spur inflammation and free radicals (oxygen molecules that mess with normal cell function), kicking pigment-making melanocyte cells into overdrive.
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While everyone has a similar number of melanocytes, genetics determine how much of this pigment those cells actually make, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'melanocyte.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of melanocyte
International Scientific Vocabulary
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: circa 1890
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearMedical Dictionary
Learn More about melanocyte
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melanocyte
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