Gastrulation

Definition

Gastrulation is a crucial phase in embryonic development where a single-layered blastula reorganizes into a multilayered structure called the gastrula, consisting of three primary layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This process establishes the foundational layers that will differentiate into various tissues and organs of the body.

Related terms

Blastula: The early stage of an embryo, characterized by being a hollow ball of cells from which the gastrula is formed through gastrulation.

Ectoderm:

The outermost layer of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation, giving rise to the nervous system, skin, and hair.

Endoderm:

The innermost germ layer formed during gastrulation, from which the lining of the digestive tract and associated structures develop