Mesoderm

Definition

The mesoderm is one of the three primary germ layers in the early embryo that gives rise to various tissues and organs, including muscles, bones, and the circulatory system. It forms during the process of gastrulation and lies between the ectoderm and endoderm.

Related terms

Ectoderm: The outermost germ layer of an early embryo that develops into structures such as skin, brain, and nervous system.

Endoderm: The innermost germ layer that forms during embryonic development, giving rise to internal structures like the lining of the digestive tract and lungs.

Gastrulation: A phase early in embryonic development during which the single-layered blastula is reorganized into a multilayered structure known as the gastrula, marking the formation of germ layers