mesenchyme

American  

[mes-eng-kahym, mez-] / ˈmɛs ɛŋ kaɪm, ˈmɛz- /

noun

Embryology.

1. cells of mesodermal origin that are capable of developing into connective tissues, blood, and lymphatic and blood vessels.

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mesenchyme British  

/ ˌmɛsɛŋˈkɪmətəs, mɛsˈɛŋkɪməl, ˈmɛsɛŋˌkaɪm /

noun

1. embryol the part of the mesoderm that develops into connective tissue, cartilage, lymph, blood, etc

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Other Word Forms

• mesenchymal adjective
• mesenchymatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of mesenchyme

1885–90; variant of mesenchyma < New Latin < Greek mesénchyma, equivalent to mes- mes- + énchyma infusion

Compare meaning

How does mesenchyme compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mesenchyme vs. mesoderm

Example Sentences

Called the mesenchyme, this tissue contains cell layers that either stretch or pinch together.

From Science Magazine

In this complex metamorphosis, epithelial cells — the kind that stick together in sheets to form bodily tissues — are converted into loosely organized cells called mesenchyme.

From New York Times

Targeting signalling pathways that affect tumour mesenchyme have also yielded disappointing results thus far.

From Nature

Figures of early stages in vertebral development by the authors mentioned show that the basidorsals chondrify first, as neural arches, while a separate mass of mesenchyme lies externally and ventrally from these.

From Project Gutenberg

The former is called simply epithelial mesoderm, the latter mesenchyme.

From Project Gutenberg