1 neurula | Definition of neurula

neurula

noun
neu·​ru·​la | \ ˈnu̇r-ə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio) , ˈnyu̇r-, -yə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio) \
plural neurulae\ ˈnu̇r-​ə-​ˌlē How to pronounce neurulae (audio) , ˈnyu̇r-​ , -​yə-​lə \ or neurulas

Definition of neurula

: an early vertebrate embryo which follows the gastrula and in which nervous tissue begins to differentiate and the basic pattern of the vertebrate begins to emerge

Other Words from neurula

neurulation \ ˌnu̇r-​ə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce neurulation (audio) , ˌnyu̇r-​ , -​yə-​ \ noun

First Known Use of neurula

1878, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for neurula

borrowed from New Latin (in a French context), "cluster of embryonic cells in marine gastropods that develop into the nervous system and eyes," from Greek neûron "sinew, tendon, nerve" + New Latin -ula (in gastrula gastrula) — more at nerve entry 1

Note: Term apparently introduced by the Swiss embryologist Hermann Fol (1845-92) in "Sur le dèveloppement des hétéropodes," Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des Sciences, tome 81 (juillet-décembre 1875), pp. 472-74. In reference to vertebrate embryology the word was employed later by the German embryologist August Rauber (1841-1917) in Primitivstreifen und Neurula der Wirbelthieren, in normaler und pathologischer Beziehung (Leipzig, 1877).

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More Definitions for neurula

neurula

noun
neu·​ru·​la | \ ˈn(y)u̇r-(y)ə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio) \
plural neurulae\ -​ˌlē How to pronounce neurulae (audio) \ or neurulas

Medical Definition of neurula

: an early vertebrate embryo which follows the gastrula and in which nervous tissue begins to differentiate and the basic pattern of the vertebrate begins to emerge

Other Words from neurula

neurular \ -​lər How to pronounce neurular (audio) \ adjective
neurulation \ ˌn(y)u̇r-​(y)ə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce neurulation (audio) \ noun

More from Merriam-Webster on neurula

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neurula