ectoderm

/'ektoudə:m/

Thân thiện

The diagram shows the ectoderm layer in an early embryo.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The outermost of the three primary germ layers in an animal embryo: The "ectoderm" is the embryonic tissue layer that gives rise to the epidermis (skin) and the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • During embryonic development, the ectoderm forms the skin and the central nervous system.
  • The neural crest is a group of cells derived from the ectoderm.

Advanced Usage

• "Surface ectoderm": The portion of the ectoderm that gives rise to the epidermis, hair, nails, and glands of the skin.
  • The surface ectoderm differentiates into the outer layer of the skin.
• "Neuroectoderm": The portion of the ectoderm that gives rise to the neural tube and neural crest cells, forming the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
  • The neuroectoderm is the precursor to the entire nervous system.

Variants and Related Words

• Ectodermal (adj): Pertaining to or derived from the ectoderm.
  • Ectodermal dysplasia is a condition affecting tissues that originate from the ectoderm.
• Ectodermic (adj): An alternative adjective form meaning of or relating to the ectoderm.

Synonyms

• Epiblast (in some developmental contexts, though not a perfect synonym, as epiblast gives rise to ectoderm and other layers).

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Germ layer: One of the three primary layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) in early embryonic development.
• Mesoderm: The middle germ layer.
• Endoderm: The innermost germ layer.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the outer germ layer that develops into skin and nervous tissue

Từ đồng nghĩa

• exoderm
• ectoblast