chorion (ˈkɔːrɪən) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| See also amnion the outer of two membranes that form a sac around the embryonic reptile, bird, or mammal: contributes to the placenta in mammals | |
| [C16: from Greek khorion afterbirth] | |
| chori'onic | |
| —adj | |
| 'chorial | |
| —adj | |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
chorion cho·ri·on (kôr'ē-ŏn')
n.
The outer membrane enclosing the embryo in reptiles, birds, and mammals. In placental mammals it contributes to the development of the placenta.
| chorion (kôr'ē-ŏn') Pronunciation Key
The outer membrane that encloses the embryo of a reptile, bird, or mammal. In mammals, the chorion contributes to the development of the placenta. |
chorion
in reptiles, birds, and mammals, the outermost membrane around the embryo. It develops from an outer fold on the surface of the yolk sac. In insects the chorion is the outer shell of the insect egg.
Learn more about chorion with a free trial on Britannica.com.