gastrula

Gas"tru*la, n.; pl. Gastrulæ Etym: [NL., dim. fr. Gr. (Biol.) Defn: An embryonic form having its origin in the invagination or pushing in of the wall of the planula or blastula (the blastosphere) on one side, thus giving rise to a double-walled sac, with one opening or mouth (the blastopore) which leads into the cavity (the archenteron) lined by the inner wall (the hypoblast). See Illust. under Invagination. In a more general sense, an ideal stage in embryonic development. See Gastræa. -- a. Defn: Of or pertaining to a gastrula.

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