ectoderm

[ ek-tuh-durm ]

noun

, Embryology.

1. the outer germ layer in the embryo of a metazoan.

ectoderm

/ ˈɛktəʊˌdɜːm /

noun

1. the outer germ layer of an animal embryo, which gives rise to epidermis and nervous tissue See also mesoderm endoderm

ectoderm

/ ĕk′tə-dûrm′ /

1. The outermost of the primary germ layers of an animal embryo. In vertebrates, the ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis and associated tissues (such as hair and sweat glands), enamel of the teeth, sense organs, nervous system, and lining of the nose, mouth, and anus.
2. Compare endoderm

Derived Forms

• ˌectoˈdermal, adjective

Other Words From

• ecto·dermal ecto·dermic adjective
• ec·to·der·moi·dal [ek-toh-der-, moid, -l], adjective
• subec·to·dermal adjective
• subec·to·dermic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ectoderm¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ecto- + -derm

Example Sentences

Amniotic ectoderm is a single cell layer that forms the membrane surrounding the developing embryo.

From Science Daily

In an unexpected twist, no part of the sea star ectoderm expresses a "trunk" genetic patterning program, suggesting that sea stars are mostly headlike.

From Science Daily

After gastrulation, the embryo can be thought of as an onion with three layers: the ectoderm, the mesoderm and the endoderm.

From Science Daily

These disks eventually formed the three main cell layers of the body: the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm.

From Scientific American

Beyond that, researchers typically assess pluripotency by confirming that the cells can differentiate into the three primordial germ-layer tissues: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm.

From Nature

Related Words

• fur
• leather
• skin
• wool