blastopore
/ˈblæstəˌpɔr/
noun
- In embryology, the opening into the archenteron (the primitive gut) during early development of an animal embryo.
- The blastopore forms during gastrulation and eventually becomes the mouth in some animals.
- Scientists studied the blastopore to understand how different species develop their digestive systems.
- In deuterostomes, the blastopore develops into the anus rather than the mouth.