ectoderm

American  

[ek-tuh-durm] / ˈɛk təˌdɜrm /

noun

Embryology.

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

---

ectoderm British  

/ ˈɛktəʊˌdɜːm /

noun

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

---

ectoderm Scientific  

/ ĕk′tə-dûrm′ /

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

Etymology

Origin of ectoderm

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

Example Sentences

Also, single cell RNA sequencing analysis suggested the differentiation pathway for amniotic ectoderm, where surface ectoderm genes are expressed before the activation of the amniotic ectoderm gene programme.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

The researchers tested variations in the culture media but cell density was the only factor that influenced the cell fate choice between amniotic ectoderm and surface ectoderm.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

The inner layer is the endoderm, and the outer layer is the ectoderm.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Thus the ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis, to the nervous system, and to the lining of the stomodaeum and proctodaeum, if such parts of the alimentary canal are present.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

Related Words

• fur
• leather
• skin
• wool