blastocyst

[ blas-tuh-sist ]
/ ˈblæs tə sɪst /

noun Embryology.

the blastula of the mammalian embryo, consisting of an inner cell mass, a cavity, and an outer layer, the trophoblast.

Origin of blastocyst

First recorded in 1885–90; blasto- + -cyst

Words nearby blastocyst

blasting gelatin, blasting powder, blasto-, blastochyle, blastocoel, blastocyst, blastocyte, blastocytoma, blastoderm, blastodermic vesicle, blastodisc

British Dictionary definitions for blastocyst

blastocyst
/ (ˈblæstəʊˌsɪst) /

noun embryol

Also called: blastosphere the blastula of mammals: a sphere of cells (trophoblast) enclosing an inner mass of cells and a fluid-filled cavity (blastocoel)
another name for germinal vesicle

Medical definitions for blastocyst

blastocyst
[ blăs′tə-sĭst′ ]

n.

The modified blastula stage of mammalian embryos, consisting of the inner cell mass and a thin trophoblast layer enclosing the blastocoel. blastodermic vesicle

Other words from blastocyst

blas′to•cys′tic adj.

Scientific definitions for blastocyst

blastocyst
[ blăs′tə-sĭst′ ]

The modified blastula that is characteristic of placental mammals. It has an outer layer, known as a trophoblast, that participates in the development of the placenta. The inner layer of cells develops into the embryo.