ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌplu̇(ə)r, -u̇ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin somatopleura, from somat- + Greek pleura side — more at pleurisy
1. : a complex layer of tissue in the embryo of a craniate vertebrate consisting of the outer of the two layers into which the lateral plate of the mesoderm splits together with the ectoderm that sheathes it externally and giving rise to the body wall and in amniote vertebrates to the amnion and chorion — compare splanchnopleure
2. : a part of an invertebrate embryo that corresponds to but is not necessarily homologous with the vertebrate somatopleure
• so·ma·to·pleu·ric | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|plu̇rik adjective