What is Heterochromia in Anatomy ?
In anatomy, heterochromia is the presence of different colors. It is usually seen in the iris, but can sometimes be seen in the hair and skin. Heterochromia is the result of excess or deficiency of melanin (pigment). This can be inherited, or for reasons such as genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, and trauma.
There are three forms of the eye’s heterochromia (heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum; the common misnomer “heterochromia iridium” is not correct in Latin). In full heterochromia, the color of one iris differs from that of the other. Regional heterochromia is the presence of two different colors in different parts of an iris, and finally “central heterochromia” consists of the inner and outer colors being different colors.
Eye color, especially iris color, is determined by concentration and distribution of melanin. The affected eye can be hyperpigment (hyperchromic) or hypopigment (hypochromic). In humans, excessive melanin shows hyperplasia of iris tissues, just as in melanin deficiency.