proctodeum

American  

[prok-tuh-dee-uhm] / ˌprɒk təˈdi əm /

noun

Embryology.

plural

proctodea, proctodeums

1. a depression in the ectoderm of the anal region of a young embryo, which develops into part of the anal canal.

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Other Word Forms

• proctodeal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of proctodeum

First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin, from Greek prōkt- proct- ( def. ) + New Latin -odeum, from Greek hodaîon, neuter of hodaîos “on one's journey or way”; see -ode ², -eum