ectoderm

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ec·to·derm / ˈektəˌdərm/ • n. Zool. & Embryology the outermost layer of cells or tissue of an embryo in early development, or the parts derived from this, which include the epidermis, nerve tissue, and nephridia. Compare with endoderm and mesoderm.DERIVATIVES: ec·to·der·mal / ˌektōˈdərməl/ adj.

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