1. The middle germ layer of an embryo that develops into muscle, bone, connective tissue, and the circulatory system; the mesoderm.
Usage: technical; biology; embryology

Examples

• During early embryonic development, the mesoblast forms between the ectoderm and endoderm.
• The mesoblast gives rise to the skeletal and muscular systems in vertebrates.
• Cells from the mesoblast differentiate to form connective tissues throughout the body.
• The mesoblast is essential for the development of the heart and blood vessels.
• In comparative embryology, the mesoblast is studied to understand evolutionary relationships.