title: The chromosome: cytogenetic analysis and its clinical application.
abstract: Chromosomes are highly structured, dynamic complexes of DNA and protein. The human genome consists of 46 chromosomes (22 paired autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes). Cytogenetic analysis provides a means to identify, as well as describe, chromosomes and disorder-related aberrations. The purpose of this article is to 1) introduce chromosome structure and alterations, 2) describe the technical fundamentals of cytogenetic analysis, and 3) provide a brief overview of the clinical applications of this technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA. randy_todd@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Donoff
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D002877:Chromosomes, Human; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*