somatopleure

[ suh-mat-uh-ploor, soh-muh-tuh- ]

noun

, Embryology.

1. the double layer formed by the association of the upper layer of the lateral plate of mesoderm with the overlying ectoderm, functioning in the formation of the body wall and amnion.

somatopleure

/ ˈsəʊmətəˌplʊə; -ˌplɜː /

noun

1. a mass of tissue in embryo vertebrates that is formed by fusion of the ectoderm with the outer layer of mesoderm: develops into the amnion, chorion, and part of the body wall

Derived Forms

• ˌsomatoˈpleural, adjective

Other Words From

• so·mato·pleural so·mato·pleuric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatopleure¹

From the New Latin word somatopleura, dating back to 1870–75. See somato-, pleura

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatopleure¹

C19: from New Latin somatopleura, from somato- + Greek pleura a side

Example Sentences

Embryology.—As the mesoderm is gradually spreading over the embryo it splits into two layers, the outer of which is known as the somatopleure and lines the parietal or ectodermal wall, while the inner lines the entoderm and is called the splanchnopleure; between the two is the coelom.

From Project Gutenberg