Blastocele
Blastocele
Blastocele (pronunciation: /ˈblæstəsiːl/), also known as the blastocyst cavity, is a fluid-filled cavity that forms within the blastocyst during the early stages of embryonic development.
Etymology
The term "blastocele" is derived from the Greek words "blastos" meaning "sprout" and "koilos" meaning "cavity".
Definition
The blastocele is a central cavity that forms within the blastocyst, an early stage embryo consisting of around 150 cells. This cavity is filled with fluid secreted by the cells of the trophectoderm, the outer layer of the blastocyst. The blastocele's formation is a critical step in blastulation, the process by which the morula, a solid ball of cells, transforms into the hollow blastocyst.
Function
The blastocele serves several important functions in embryonic development. It creates a physical separation between the inner cell mass (ICM), which will eventually form the embryo, and the trophectoderm, which will form the placenta. This separation allows for the differentiation of these two cell types. The blastocele also creates an internal pressure that aids in the hatching of the blastocyst from the zona pellucida, the glycoprotein shell surrounding the early embryo.
Related Terms
- Blastocyst: The stage of embryonic development during which the blastocele forms.
- Blastulation: The process by which the morula transforms into the blastocyst.
- Trophectoderm: The outer layer of cells in the blastocyst, responsible for secreting the fluid that fills the blastocele.
- Inner cell mass (ICM): The cluster of cells inside the blastocyst that will eventually form the embryo.
- Zona pellucida: The glycoprotein shell surrounding the early embryo.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blastocele
- Wikipedia's article - Blastocele
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