metaphase /met″əfāz/ [Gk, meta + phasis, appearance] , the second of the four stages of nuclear division in mitosis and in each of the two divisions of meiosis, during which the chromosomes become arranged in the equatorial plane of the spindle to form the equatorial plate, with the centromeres attached to the spindle fibers in preparation for separation. See also anaphase, interphase, meiosis, mitosis, prophase, telophase.
