ectoderm

American  

[ek-tuh-durm] / ˈɛk təˌdɜrm /

noun

Embryology.

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

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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

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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

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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

In contrast, high density culturing led to cells that expressed markers for surface ectoderm but not amniotic ectoderm.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

Vitally, Dr Nakanoh identified that the distinction between the two cell types depends on cell density; where cells become amniotic ectoderm in sparse conditions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

Moreover, the developmental pathway through surface ectoderm state to amniotic ectoderm state was also observed in primate embryos.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

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

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Adhesion between the tentacles and the prey is effected partly by the gummy secretion of the glands of the ectoderm, which is perhaps poisonous as well as adhesive, and partly by the threads.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

Related Words

• fur
• leather
• skin
• wool