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Definition of Chromosome map
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Chromosome map: The chart of the linear array of genes on a chromosome.
A chromosome map can also refer to the visual appearance of a chromosome when stained and examined under a microscope. Particularly important are visually distinct regions, called light and dark bands, which give each of the chromosomes a unique appearance. This feature allows a person's chromosomes to be studied in a clinical test known as a karyotype, which allows scientists to look for chromosomal alterations.