chorion

chorion [kawr-ee-on, kohr-] Word Origin noun

1. Embryology. the outermost of the extraembryonic membranes of land vertebrates, contributing to the formation of the placenta in the placental mammals.
2. Zoology. the membrane around the eggs of certain insects, secreted by cells of the ovary.

Origin of chorion 1535–45; New Latin Greek chórion membrane enclosing the fetusRelated formscho·ri·on·ic, cho·ri·al, adjectivesub·cho·ri·on·ic, adjective British Dictionary definitions for chorial chorion noun

1. the outer of two membranes that form a sac around the embryonic reptile, bird, or mammal: contributes to the placenta in mammalsSee also amnion

Derived Formschorionic or chorial, adjectiveWord Origin for chorion C16: from Greek khorion afterbirth Word Origin and History for chorial chorion n.

“outer membrane of the fetus,” 1540s, medical Latin, from Greek khorion “membrane enclosing the fetus, afterbirth,” perhaps from PIE *ghere- “gut, entrail” (see yarn).

chorial in Medicine chorion [kôr′ē-ŏn′] n.

1. The outer membrane enclosing the embryo in reptiles, birds, and mammals. In placental mammals it contributes to the development of the placenta.

Related formscho′ri•on′ic (-ŏn′ĭk) adj. chorial in Science chorion [kôr′ē-ŏn′]

1. The outer membrane that encloses the embryo of a reptile, bird, or mammal. In mammals, the chorion contributes to the development of the placenta.