planula

P3L1A1N1U1L1A1
UK/ˈplæn.jʊ.lə/US/ˈplæn.jə.lə/

noun

In embryonic development, a vesicle filled with fluid, formed from the morula by the divergence of its cells in such a manner as to give rise to a central space, around which the cells arrange themselves as an envelope; an embryonic form intermediate between the morula and gastrula.

OriginLatin plānula →
Scrabble 9
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Meanings

nounplanula (plural planulae)

plural planulae

  1. biologyIn embryonic development, a vesicle filled with fluid, formed from the morula by the divergence of its cells in such a manner as to give rise to a central space, around which the cells arrange themselves as an envelope; an embryonic form intermediate between the morula and gastrula.
  2. biologyThe larva of a hydrozoan, which is free-swimming and covered in cilia.

Origin

  1. Latinplānula
  2. Englishplanula

Borrowed from Latin plānula, diminutive of plāna (“plane”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

planula. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/planula

MLA

“planula.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/planula. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “planula,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/planula.

Source: planula on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.