‖ mesenchyma Biol.
(mɛˈsɛŋkɪmə)
Also anglicized mesenchyme (ˈmɛsɛŋkaɪm).
[mod.L. mesenchyma, f. Gr. µέσ-ος middle + ἔγχυµα infusion.]
The cellular tissue which, arising from the hypoblast or the epiblast, constitutes, in some of the lower forms of animal life, the mesoblast. Also attrib. in mesenchyme cell = mesamœboid.
| 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life Gen. Introd. 28 The cells arise as immigrants (mesenchyme cells) from the walls of the blastosphere. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 10 Sept. 584 The primary leucocytes, or wandering mesenchyme cells. |
Hence meˈsenchymal, mesenˈchymatous adjs., pertaining to the mesenchyma.
| 1886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. III. 194/1 The ordinary mesenchymal cells. 1886 Jrnl. Roy. Microsc. Soc. Feb. 54 The body-cavity [of the Polyzoa] contains ‘mesenchymatous’ (Hertwig) elements. |