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Definition

adjective

Having three primary germ layers, such as ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.

Supplement

All higher and intermediate animals (i.e. from flat worms to humans develop from a triploblastic embryo, in contrast to other organisms (e.g. cnidaria) that develop from a diploblastic embryo.

Word origin: Greek tripló(os), threefold + blastikós, budding.

Related forms: triploblasty.

Compare: monoblastic, diploblastic.
See also: blastula, germ layer.