megakaryocyte: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “megakaryocyte” mean?
A large bone marrow cell with a lobulated nucleus, responsible for producing blood platelets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large bone marrow cell with a lobulated nucleus, responsible for producing blood platelets.
In hematology, a precursor cell that undergoes endomitosis (nuclear division without cytoplasmic division) to become polyploid before fragmenting to release platelets (thrombocytes) into the bloodstream. Essential for normal blood clotting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation may show minor accent variations.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both UK and US English, confined to professional medical/biological discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “megakaryocyte” in a Sentence
The megakaryocyte produces platelets.Megakaryocytes are derived from hematopoietic stem cells.A biopsy revealed an increased number of megakaryocytes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megakaryocyte” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- megakaryocytic dysplasia
- megakaryocytic leukaemia
American English
- megakaryocytic dysplasia
- megakaryocytic leukemia
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced biology, medicine, and hematology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in hematology, pathology, and related laboratory sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megakaryocyte”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megakaryocyte”
- Misspelling as 'megakaryocite' or 'megakaryoctye'.
- Mispronouncing the 'karyo' part as /ˈkɛəriəʊ/ instead of /ˈkæriəʊ/ or /ˈkarɪəʊ/.
- Using it as a general term for any large cell.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Megakaryocytes are primarily found in the bone marrow, though they can occasionally be identified in other tissues like the lung under certain conditions.
Yes, they are among the largest cells in the bone marrow and are visible under a standard light microscope when examining a bone marrow aspirate or biopsy smear.
Disorders include essential thrombocythemia (too many platelets from abnormal megakaryocytes), certain leukemias, and bone marrow failure syndromes where megakaryocytes are reduced or absent.
It is primarily a noun. The related adjective is 'megakaryocytic', used to describe processes or diseases involving these cells.
A large bone marrow cell with a lobulated nucleus, responsible for producing blood platelets.
Megakaryocyte is usually technical/scientific in register.
Megakaryocyte: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡəˈkarɪə(ʊ)sʌɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡəˈkæriəˌsaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEGA (very large) + KARYO (nucleus) + CYTE (cell) = a very large cell with a big, complex nucleus that makes platelets.
Conceptual Metaphor
A platelet factory. The megakaryocyte is often described as a 'manufacturing plant' that fragments its cytoplasm to produce thousands of platelets.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a megakaryocyte?