Hypoblast is a term used in embryology to describe the innermost layer of cells in the early embryo. The word is pronounced /ˈhaɪpəʊblɑːst/, where the first syllable "hy-" is pronounced like "high", followed by "po" and then "blast" with a long "a" sound. The spelling "hypo" comes from the Greek prefix meaning "under", while "blast" refers to an immature or developing cell. So, hypoblast literally means "underlying layer of developing cells".
Hypoblast is a term used in embryology and developmental biology to describe a specific layer of cells that forms during the early stages of embryonic development. It refers to the innermost layer of cells that develops from the fertilized egg, commonly known as the blastocyst.
In the context of mammalian development, particularly in humans, the hypoblast is one of the two primary germ layers that forms during gastrulation, the process by which the embryo develops distinct layers. The other germ layer is known as the epiblast.
The hypoblast plays a crucial role in the subsequent development of the embryo. It gives rise to a structure called the yolk sac, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the developing embryo until the placenta forms. The yolk sac is essential for early embryonic development before the circulatory and digestive systems are fully functional.
Furthermore, the hypoblast is involved in the formation of other important tissues and structures in the developing embryo, such as certain regions of the gut and the extraembryonic mesoderm. During embryogenesis, the hypoblast eventually gives rise to several cell types and tissues that contribute to the development of various organs in the body.
In summary, the hypoblast is the innermost layer of cells in the early embryo, derived from the blastocyst. It is responsible for the formation of the yolk sac and contributes to the development of different tissues and structures essential for the overall growth and development of the embryo.
The inner layer of cells in the embryo, forming the endoderm; from it is derived the epithelium of the respiratory and alimentary systems.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hypoblast" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "hypo-" meaning "under" or "beneath", and "blastos" meaning "germ" or "bud". In embryology, the term refers to the innermost layer of cells in the early embryo, which gives rise to certain tissues and structures. Therefore, "hypoblast" essentially means the cell layer that lies beneath or below the surface layer in the developing embryo.