notochord

[ noh-tuh-kawrd ]

noun

, Embryology.

1. a rodlike cord of cells that forms the chief axial supporting structure of the body of the lower chordates, as amphioxus and the cyclostomes, and of the embryos of the vertebrates.

notochord

/ ˈnəʊtəˌkɔːd /

noun

1. a fibrous longitudinal rod in all embryo and some adult chordate animals, immediately above the gut, that supports the body. It is replaced in adult vertebrates by the vertebral column

notochord

/ nō′tə-kôrd′ /

1. A flexible rodlike structure that forms the main support of the body in all chordates during some stage of their development. In vertebrates, the notochord develops into a true backbone in the embryonic phase. Primitive chordates, such as lancelets and tunicates, retain a notochord throughout their lives.

Derived Forms

• ˌnotoˈchordal, adjective

Other Words From

• noto·chordal adjective
• subno·to·chordal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of notochord¹

First recorded in 1840–50; noto- + chord ¹5 (in the sense of “a cordlike anatomical structure”)

Example Sentences

Moreover, both these authors, as also His, seem to have mistaken the opaque streak spoken of above for the notochord.

From Project Gutenberg

This, however, is not the case, and the notochord does not make its appearance till somewhat later.

From Project Gutenberg

The notochord (ch) has begun to be formed, though its separation from the rest of the mesoblast is not as yet very distinct.

From Project Gutenberg

So that it is clear that the medullary streak is not the notochord, as was thought to be the case by the authors above mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg

In fig. 7b, the most anterior of the two, the notochord has become quite separated from the hypoblast.

From Project Gutenberg