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Definition

noun, plural: segmentation

(1) (embryology) Cleavage, i.e. the repeated division of a fertilized ovum forming blastomeres

(2) (zoology) The division of animal or plant body into repetitive segments; metamerism or the state of developing segments or a series of repeating parts

(3) (general) The condition or act of partitioning or dividing into repeated parts or segments

Supplement

In zoology, segmentation refers to the division of a body part into segments. It may be homomeric segmentation in which the segments are more or less the same, or heteromeric segmentation wherein the segments differ from one another.

Word origin: Latin segmentum + atio (process)

Related term(s):

• Segment
• Segmentation cavity
• Segmentation gene