Anatomy

Chromatophores

The large pigment cells of fish, amphibia, reptiles and many invertebrates which actively disperse and aggregate their pigment granules. These cells include MELANOPHORES, erythrophores, xanthophores, leucophores and iridiophores. (In algae, chromatophores refer to CHLOROPLASTS. In phototrophic bacteria chromatophores refer to membranous organelles (BACTERIAL CHROMATOPHORES).)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The large pigment cells of fish, amphibia, reptiles and many invertebrates which actively disperse and aggregate their pigment granules. These cells include MELANOPHORES, erythrophores, xanthophores, leucophores and iridiophores. (In algae, chromatophores refer to CHLOROPLASTS. In phototrophic bacteria chromatophores refer to membranous organelles (BACTERIAL CHROMATOPHORES).)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Chromatophore

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with chromophores (chemical groups imparting color to a cpd); BACTERIAL CHROMATOPHORES is available

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A11w.436.265w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QS 532.5.E7

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Chromatophores. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002856. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002856
  2. Chromatophores. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatophore
  3. Chromatophores. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q504699