hyperchromia
|hy-per-kro-mi-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌhaɪpərˈkroʊmiə/
🇬🇧
/ˌhaɪpə(r)ˈkrəʊmiə/
excessive/deep coloration (staining)
Etymology
'hyperchromia' originates from Neo-Latin/Greek roots: Greek 'hyper-' meaning 'over, excessive' and 'chroma' meaning 'color', combined in Neo-Latin to form 'hyperchromia'.
'hyperchromia' was formed in modern medical/Scientific Latin from Greek elements; the Greek 'chroma' passed into Latin/Neo-Latin usage and combined with the prefix 'hyper-' to yield the medical term used in English.
Initially derived simply from elements meaning 'excess color', it came to be used specifically in medical contexts to denote excessive staining or pigmentation; the core sense narrowed to pathological/diagnostic usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an abnormal increase in the intensity of staining of cells or their nuclei on microscopic examination (commonly used in pathology/hematology to indicate darker-staining nuclei).
The biopsy showed marked hyperchromia of the tumor cell nuclei.
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Noun 2
an increase in pigmentation or coloration of tissues (e.g., areas of skin with darker color).
The patient exhibited localized hyperchromia of the forearm.
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Last updated: 2025/12/05 22:09