dorsal lip

noun

, Embryology.

1. the dorsal marginal region of the blastopore, which acts as a center of differentiation: as cells move through this region to the interior of the embryo during gastrulation, they acquire the ability to induce the overlying ectoderm to develop into a variety of tissues.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dorsal lip¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

By such minute work has he determined that a minute point in the ripening egg, the dorsal lip of the blastopore, is where the cells which eventually form the body begin to take special form.

From Time Magazine Archive

The dorsal lip of this incision is then raised, and the tendon of the extensor carpi ulnaris cut at its insertion, and reflected up out of its groove in the ulna along with the skin.

From Project Gutenberg

The dorsal lip is therefore the upper and more forward, the ventral lip the lower and hinder.

From Project Gutenberg

The primitive mouth or prostoma is originally a simple round aperture at the lower pole of the long axis; its dorsal lip is above and ventral lip below.

From Project Gutenberg