ectoderm

[ek-tuh-durm]

noun

Embryology.

1. the outer germ layer in the embryo of a metazoan.

ectoderm

/ ˈɛktəʊˌdɜːm /

noun

1. the outer germ layer of an animal embryo, which gives rise to epidermis and nervous tissue See also mesoderm endoderm

ectoderm

1. The outermost of the primary germ layers of an animal embryo. In vertebrates, the ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis and associated tissues (such as hair and sweat glands), enamel of the teeth, sense organs, nervous system, and lining of the nose, mouth, and anus.

2. Compare endoderm mesoderm

Other Word Forms

• ectodermal adjective
• ectodermic adjective
• ectodermoidal adjective
• subectodermal adjective
• subectodermic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ectoderm¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ecto- + -derm

Example Sentences

Because both the brain and skin develop from the same embryonic layer called the ectoderm, the scientists set out to explore how these two systems might be connected.

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Amniotic ectoderm is a single cell layer that forms the membrane surrounding the developing embryo.

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In an unexpected twist, no part of the sea star ectoderm expresses a "trunk" genetic patterning program, suggesting that sea stars are mostly headlike.

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After gastrulation, the embryo can be thought of as an onion with three layers: the ectoderm, the mesoderm and the endoderm.

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These disks eventually formed the three main cell layers of the body: the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm.

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Related Words

• fur 
• leather 
• skin 
• wool