trophoblastic
- adjective
- /ˌtroʊfəˈblæstɪk/
- Specialized
- The trophoblastic layer is crucial for the development of the placenta during early pregnancy.
Examples
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Researchers study trophoblastic cells to understand their role in embryo implantation.
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A trophoblastic tumor can affect a woman's reproductive health and requires careful medical attention.
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I'm not generally shocked by stuff I read on here as I've kind of grown accustomed to wingnuttery, but Jim Grant, trophoblastic tumor-worshipper extraordinaire, made me blink.
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Synonyms
Relating to the outer membrane that surrounds an embryo
Compounds
- Specialized
A harmful growth in the womb that starts in tissue from pregnancy
Surface Forms
Morphology
trophoblastic = trophoblast (transparent) = tropho + blast + ic
Standard adjective formation: the noun 'trophoblast' plus the adjectival suffix '-ic' yields a word meaning 'relating to the trophoblast'.
Etymology
Trophoblastic comes from Greek parts troph- meaning 'nourishment' and -blast meaning 'young cell'. So trophoblastic describes the early cells that help feed the embryo and build the placenta. A helpful way to remember troph- is to think of atrophy, which shows what happens when something has no 'nourishment' and becomes weaker.