The chromosome satellite (Navashin's "sputnik" or satelles): A terminological comment

The particular feature of chromosome morphology usually called the satellit e was discovered in 1912 by S. Navashin. This very famous cytologist propos ed the Russian term "sputnik" and its Latin translation into satelles. Subs equently "sputnik" was translated as trabant or "satellite" in non-Russian literature. Since from a real cytological point of view the satellite is no t at all a subsidiary or additional part of the chromosome body, there is a remarkable terminological incongruity. The author suggests a proper altern ative terminology.