A major type of embryonic movement where the outer cells of an embryo spread out and gradually cover the inner cells, especially common in fish and amphibian eggs.
From Greek epi- (upon) + ballein (to throw) with -y forming a noun. Distinct from but related to epibole, emphasizing the complete process.
Epiboly is literally watching the outside of a frog or fish embryo slowly shrink-wrap itself around the insides—it's fundamental to how most vertebrates get organized!
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