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Glite Dictionary
exoderm

exoderm

1 9.9
Outer layer in an embryo that forms the skin and nervous system
  • noun
  • /ˈɛksəˌdɜrm/
  • Specialized
: exodermo
  • Studying the exoderm is essential to understanding early stages of human development.

Examples

  • The exoderm gives rise to both the epidermis and the nervous system in vertebrate embryos.

  • The exoderm forms the outer layer of the embryo.

  • The cells of the exoderm begin to differentiate soon after fertilization.

  • The exoderm is vital for the embryo.

  • During embryonic development, the exoderm forms the outermost layer of the skin and contributes to the nervous system.

  • The exoderm is crucial as it differentiates into structures such as the epidermis and neural tissue.

  • Understanding the role of the exoderm helps explain how the skin and nerves are formed in embryos.

Synonyms

ectoderm
vsexoderm
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The outer layer of cells in an embryo that becomes skin and the nervous system

has identical meaning but uses an alternative scientific name
ectoblast
vsexoderm
  • Archaic
9.9

The outer layer of cells in an early embryo that later becomes the skin and nervous system

is the same concept but refers more to the very early embryo stage

Surface Forms

exoderm singular
exoderms plural

Morphology

exoderm = exo + derm

The parts exo- ('outer') + derm ('skin') compose the meaning, but both are specialized combining forms from Greek that may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Exoderm comes from the Greek parts exo- meaning 'outside' and -derm meaning 'skin'. So the exoderm is the outer skin layer of an embryo that later becomes the skin and parts of the nervous system.