somatopleure

noun

so·​mato·​pleure sō-ˈma-tə-ˌplu̇r How to pronounce somatopleure (audio)
: a complex fold of tissue in the embryo of a craniate vertebrate consisting of an outer layer of mesoderm together with the ectoderm that sheathes it and giving rise to the amnion and chorion

Word History

Etymology

New Latin somatopleura, from somat- + Greek pleura side

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of somatopleure was in 1874

Rhymes for somatopleure

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Browse Nearby Words

somatoplastic
somatopleure
somatopsychological
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Somatopleure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somatopleure. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

somatopleure

noun
so·​ma·​to·​pleure sō-ˈmat-ə-ˌplu̇(ə)r How to pronounce somatopleure (audio) ˈsō-mət-ə- How to pronounce somatopleure (audio)
: a complex fold of tissue in the embryo of craniate vertebrates that consists of an outer layer of mesoderm together with the ectoderm ensheathing it and that gives rise to the amnion and chorion compare splanchnopleure
somatopleuric
sō-ˌmat-ə-ˈplu̇r-ik How to pronounce somatopleure (audio) ˌsō-mət-ə- How to pronounce somatopleure (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on somatopleure

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about somatopleure

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