invagination

[ in-vaj-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of invaginating.
2. Embryology. the inward movement of a portion of the wall of a blastula in the formation of a gastrula.
3. Pathology. intussusception ( def 3 ).
4. a form or shape resulting from an infolded tissue.

Word History and Origins

Origin of invagination¹

First recorded in 1650–60; invaginate + -ion

Example Sentences

White arrow denotes the invagination that forms the shell gland.

From Nature

In some cases the inner layer is formed not by invagination but by proliferation or by delamination.

From Project Gutenberg

The pore or opening leading into the cavity of invagination, or archenteron.

From Project Gutenberg

In Myxine a further remarkable peculiarity in regard to the hypophysis, probably adaptive in nature, occurs, inasmuch as the pituitary invagination develops an opening at its posterior end into the pharynx.

From Project Gutenberg

In the majority of the Decapoda there is a saccular invagination of the integument in the basal segment of the antennular peduncle having on its inner surface “auditory” setae of the type just described.

From Project Gutenberg