EXOCOELOM Meaning and
Definition
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Exocoelom refers to the outer cavity or space in the body of an embryo that develops alongside the primitive gut during early embryogenesis. It is a temporary cavity that forms as part of the process of gastrulation.
During gastrulation, the embryo undergoes complex changes, resulting in the formation of three germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The endoderm gives rise to the innermost layer, which forms the primitive gut or archenteron. Simultaneously, a second cavity called the exocoelom appears outside the developing gut tube, bounded by the outer layer, the ectoderm.
The exocoelom is initially quite small and fills the space between the ectoderm and the endoderm, but as development progresses, it enlarges and expands. In amniote embryos (reptiles, birds, and mammals), it gradually dissipates as the embryo grows, eventually being absorbed or giving rise to other important structures within the body, such as the pericardial cavity or the coelomic cavities.
Overall, the exocoelom serves as a temporary space within the early embryo, providing room for various developmental processes. Its presence and subsequent disappearance play crucial roles in the proper formation and organization of the various tissues and organs during embryogenesis.
Common Misspellings for EXOCOELOM
- wxocoelom
- sxocoelom
- dxocoelom
- rxocoelom
- 4xocoelom
- 3xocoelom
- ezocoelom
- ecocoelom
- edocoelom
- esocoelom
- exicoelom
- exkcoelom
- exlcoelom
- expcoelom
- ex0coelom
- ex9coelom
- exoxoelom
- exovoelom
- exofoelom
- exodoelom
Etymology of EXOCOELOM
The word "exocoelom" is derived from the combination of two Greek terms: "exo-" meaning "outside" or "external", and "coelom" meaning "cavity" or "hollow space". Hence, the literal meaning of "exocoelom" is "an external or outer cavity or space". In the context of biology and embryology, the term refers to the outer cavity or blastocoel of an early-stage embryo.
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