Embryology Vocabulary

noun a structure or body part that is located towards the front or forward position

adjective referring to the front or forward position of something

• The anterior part of the brain is responsible for higher cognitive functions.
• I bumped into the anterior wall and hurt my shoulder.
• I always sit in the anterior row in class to avoid distractions.
• The anterior approach to problem-solving involves looking at the issue from a different angle.

adjective relating to or situated near or toward the tail or the posterior part of the body

• The caudal fin is located at the back end of a fish's body.
• The fish's tail is also known as the caudal fin.
• Check out the cool caudal fin on that fish!
• The caudal region of the city is known for its historical landmarks.

noun the hollow between a woman's breasts when supported, especially as revealed by a low-cut neckline

• The scientist studied the formation of cleavage in the mineral sample.
• She wore a dress that showed off her cleavage.
• Check out the cleavage on that top!
• There was a clear cleavage between the two political parties on the issue.

noun the act of emerging from an egg or the process of a baby bird coming out of its shell

adjective related to the process of hatching

• The hatching of the eggs was carefully monitored by the researchers.
• We watched the hatching of the chicks in the backyard.
• I can't believe the hatching of their plan actually worked out.
• The hatching of a new business idea requires careful planning and execution.

noun a condition in which a part of the body is abnormally formed or shaped

• The doctor diagnosed the baby with a congenital malformation.
• The baby was born with a malformation that will require surgery.
• That's a weird malformation on your arm, dude.
• The malformation in the data caused the entire system to crash.

verb to become bony or harden into bone; to change into bone or bony tissue

• As we age, the cartilage in our joints may ossify, causing stiffness and pain.
• I heard that if you don't move your arm after breaking it, the bone can ossify in a weird position.
• Dude, if you keep skipping leg day, your muscles are just gonna ossify into flab.
• Over time, his rigid beliefs began to ossify, making it difficult for him to consider other perspectives.

noun a type of tumor that contains different types of tissues, such as hair, muscle, and bone

• A teratoma is a type of tumor that can contain different types of tissues such as hair, teeth, and bone.
• I heard that teratomas are really weird tumors that can have all sorts of random stuff in them.
• Teratomas are like those tumors that are like a crazy mix of different things, like a tumor salad or something.
• The project turned out to be a teratoma of ideas, with random elements coming together in a confusing mess.