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Glite Dictionary
chorioallantoic membrane

chorioallantoic membrane

9.9
A thin membrane with many blood vessels in bird and reptile eggs that helps the embryo breathe and grow
  • noun
  • /ˌkɔːri.oʊˌæl.ənˈtoʊ.ɪk ˈmɛm.breɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : membrana corioalantoica
  • The chorioallantoic membrane is crucial for the respiration and nourishment of bird embryos during development.

Examples

  • The chorioallantoic membrane provides essential nutrients to the developing embryo in reptiles.

  • Researchers studied the chorioallantoic membrane to understand its role in oxygen transfer.

  • The chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) assay.

    Academic text (2014)

  • In the extreme, some of the New World species of the lizard genus Mabuya, the uterus and chorioallantoic membrane form extensive interlocking projections.

    Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

chorioallantois
vschorioallantoic membrane
  • Specialized
9.9

Thin layer full of blood around a bird or reptile embryo that helps it get oxygen

focuses on being present in bird and reptile embryos rather than its developmental role

Surface Forms

chorioallantoic membrane singular
chorioallantoic membranes plural

Morphology

chorioallantoic + membrane

The phrase simply combines 'chorioallantoic' (pertaining to fused embryonic membranes) with 'membrane', so its meaning — a membrane formed by the chorion and allantois — is compositionally derivable from the constituents. Although highly technical, the compound follows standard scientific compounding patterns, so a learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Chorioallantoic membrane is named because two parts, the chorion and the allantois, join together to make a thin, blood-rich layer around the egg. That layer helps the growing embryo 'breathe' and grow blood vessels, so the name refers to the fused membrane in bird and reptile eggs that supports gas exchange and development.