1. Plural of celom; body cavities in animals that contain internal organs, lined with mesoderm.
Usage: biology; zoology; technical

Examples

• The celoms of vertebrates develop from the mesoderm during embryonic development.
• In annelids, the body is divided into segments, each containing its own celoms.
• The peritoneal cavity is one of the major celoms in mammals.
• Arthropods have reduced celoms compared to other invertebrates.
• The development of celoms was an important evolutionary advancement in animal body plans.