Dicentric chromosome
![After a paracentric inversion, separation of the inverted chromosomes in anaphase I result in the formation of dicentric and acentric fragments. The dicentric fragments become broken, deleted products. The acentric fragments are simply lost.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Paracentric_inversion_dicentric_chromosome_formation3256.jpg")
![The presence of](/Images/godic/202501/08/Nuclear_abnormalities_in_peripheral_blood_erythrocytes_of_penguins_Pygoscelis_papua_43256.JPG")
A dicentric chromosome is an abnormal chromosome with two centromeres. It is formed through the fusion of two chromosome segments, each with a centromere, resulting in the loss of acentric fragments (lacking a centromere) and the formation of dicentric fragments. The formation of dicentric chromosomes has been attributed to genetic processes, such as Robertsonian translocation and paracentric inversion. Dicentric chromosomes have important roles in the mitotic stability of chromosomes and the formation of pseudodicentric chromosomes. Their existence has been linked to certain natural phenomena such as irradiation and have been documented to underlie certain clinical syndromes, notably Kabuki syndrome. The formation of dicentric chromosomes and their implications on centromere function are studied in certain clinical cytogenetics laboratories.