vitelline membrane

noun

: a membrane enclosing an egg that comprises the zona pellucida in mammals and that upon fertilization splits off from the surface of the egg forming a fertilization membrane in many invertebrates and amphibians and in some fish

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vitelline membrane

noun

vi·​tel·​line membrane

vī-ˈtel-ən-,

-ˌēn-,

-ˌīn-

: a membrane that encloses an egg and that in mammals is a thick transparent noncellular layer

Medical Definition

vitelline membrane

noun

: a membrane enclosing the egg proper and corresponding to the plasma membrane of an ordinary cell