spireme

[ spahy-reem ]

/ ˈspaɪ rim /

the threadlike chromatin of a cell nucleus, present during early meiosis or mitosis.

Origin of spireme

1885–90; < Greek speírēma coil, equivalent to speirē-, variant stem of speirâsthai to be coiled around + -ma noun suffix of result

In iron-hæmatoxylin preparations this pair is often obscured by parts of the spireme which are tangled around it.

Studies in Spermatogenesis |Nettie Maria Stevens
The connection of the element x with the spireme up to the stage where the spireme segments to form the bivalent chromosomes.

Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2) |Nettie Maria Stevens
Spireme longitudinally split and showing the beginning of cross formation.

Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2) |Nettie Maria Stevens
In figure 107 one sees the spireme divided into segments still joined by linin bridges.

Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2) |Nettie Maria Stevens

The spireme here, as also in figure 99, is fine and closely interwound.

Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2) |Nettie Maria Stevens

spireme

/ (ˈspaɪriːm) /

cytology the tangled mass of chromatin threads into which the nucleus of a cell is resolved at the start of mitosis

C19: from Greek speirēma a coil, from speira a coil, spire ²