The term "area pellucida" refers to a translucent zone that develops in the early embryo of mammals. The word is phonetically complex, with several sounds not present in English. It is pronounced [ˈe(ə)ɹiə pɛˈluːsɪdə], with the first syllable being stressed. The "a" in "area" is pronounced like "air," and the "e" in "pellucida" sounds like "eh." Additionally, the "c" in "pellucida" is pronounced as "ch." This spelling reflects the origins of the term, which comes from Latin.
The term "area pellucida" refers to a specific anatomical structure found in the early development of vertebrate embryos. Known as the embryonic disc or blastodisc, the area pellucida is a circular or oval-shaped region within the blastocyst where embryonic development occurs.
This area is characterized by its transparent appearance, hence the name "pellucida," which means translucent or clear. It is surrounded by the rest of the blastocyst, known as the area opaca. Together, the area pellucida and area opaca form the embryonic disc.
During the process of gastrulation, the area pellucida differentiates into three distinct layers: the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. These germ layers play crucial roles in the development of various tissues and organs in the developing embryo.
Furthermore, the area pellucida also serves as a site of fertilization, where the sperm cell penetrates and fertilizes the oocyte. Following fertilization, the blastocyst implants itself into the uterine wall to continue embryonic development.
Understanding the area pellucida and its development is important in the fields of embryology and reproductive biology as it provides insights into the early stages of vertebrate development and the formation of different cell lineages.
The clear center of the a. germinativa.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term area pellucida comes from Latin. Area means a level or flat surface in Latin, while pellucida means transparent or clear.