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n. pl. al·lan·to·i·des (ăl′ən-tōĭ-dēz′) A membranous sac that develops from the posterior part of the digestive tract in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is important in the formation of the umbilical cord and placenta in mammals. Also called allantoid. [New Latin allāntois, variant of allāntoīdēs, from Greek allāntoeidēs, sausage-shaped : allās, allānt-, sausage (perhaps from Greek dialectal (Magna Graecia) *allāwent-, (sausage) seasoned with garlic, from *allā-, garlic, of Italic origin; akin to Latin ālium, garlic; see ALLIUM) + -oeidēs, -oid.] al′lan·toic (ăl′ən-tōĭk) adj. |
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