Allantois

/əˈlæntəwɪs/ noun

Definition

A membrane that grows from the embryo of mammals, birds, and reptiles to help with waste removal and oxygen transfer before birth.

Etymology

From Greek 'allas' (sausage) and 'itis' (condition), literally 'sausage condition.' Named in the 1600s because of its elongated sausage-like appearance in bird embryos.

Kelly Says

Your allantois fused with the placenta before you were born—it literally became part of your connection to your mother!

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