noun
- A body cavity in animals, lined with mesoderm, that contains the internal organs; also called a body cavity or peritoneal cavity.
Usage: biology; anatomy; also spelled 'coelom'
Examples
- The coelome is a fluid-filled space that surrounds and protects the internal organs.
- In vertebrates, the coelome is divided into separate compartments by membranes.
- The development of a true coelome was an important evolutionary advancement in animal anatomy.
- Organisms with a coelome can grow larger and have more complex organ systems than those without one.