Pronunciation: BLAS-to-pore

Etymology: The main root comes from blastula plus pore, with is derived from porta, the Latin word for gate. The reference is to the opening that develops in the blastula to form the gastrula.

The blastopore is an opening or pore that develops in the initial ball of cells or blastula from which all Metazoans develop. Invagination of the blastula at a particular point forms the blastopore and signals the development of the gastrula in most metazoa. The blastopore becomes the mouth in the Protostomata and the anus in the Deuterostomata.

By Jack R. Holt. Last revised: 01/02/2009