morula

[mawr-oo-luh, -yoo-]

noun

Embryology.

plural

morulas, morulae 

1. the mass of cells resulting from the cleavage of the ovum before the formation of a blastula.

morula

/ ˈmɒrjʊlə /

noun

1. embryol a solid ball of cells resulting from cleavage of a fertilized ovum

morula

plural

morulae 

1. The spherical embryonic mass of blastomeres that results from cleavage of the fertilized ovum and develops into the blastula.

Other Word Forms

• morular adjective
• premorular adjective
• pseudomorular adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of morula¹

1855–60; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin mōr ( um ) mulberry + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of morula¹

C19: via New Latin, diminutive of Latin morum mulberry, from Greek moron

Example Sentences

Further analysis of those iPS cells showed that, compared to in vitro iPS cells, their gene expression more closely resembled that observed in embryos at an early stage of development called the morula.

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That stage in the development of the ovum in which the outer cells of the morula become more defined and form the blastoderm.

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This mass is termed by embryologists “the morula.”

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For example, in his interview with a South African villager who explained how to make the alcoholic drink, morula, she repeatedly says that it is best if she demonstrates the process.

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Later, the protoplasm becomes segregated around each of the nuclei, giving the parasite a mulberry-like aspect; hence this stage is frequently known as a morula.

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