spiral cleavage

noun

: holoblastic cleavage that is typical of protostomes and that is characterized by arrangement of the blastomeres of each upper tier over the cell junctions of the next lower tier so that the blastomeres spiral around the pole to pole axis of the embryo compare radial cleavage

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiral cleavage was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near spiral cleavage

spiral chute

spiral cleavage

spiral conveyor

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Cite this Entry

“Spiral cleavage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral%20cleavage. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

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