archenteron

/ɑrˈkɛntərɒn/

Definitions

1. noun

The earliest stage of a multicellular organism, especially a vertebrate, in which it has a single opening (blastopore) at the top of the body and a single opening (blastopore) at the bottom of the body, from which the adult body parts develop.

“During the embryonic stage, the archenteron undergoes significant changes to form the various organ systems of the adult organism.”

Synonyms

  • blastula
  • gastrula

Antonyms

  • adult organism
  • fully formed organism