# gastrula

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡæstɹələ/

## Definitions
1. A stage in the development of embryos of most animals consisting of a three-layered sac of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.

## Etymology
From German Gastrula, coined by Ernst Haeckel in his 1872 work "Biology of Calcareous Sponges". From gastr- (from Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastḗr, “stomach”) + Latin -ula.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gastrula