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inner cell mass
A small group of cells that makes up embryonic tissues which are found inside the trophoectoderm and which will give rise to the foetus. It is also known as embryoblast and ICM.
Grammatical category Noun
Field Cell biology
Level of specialization Medium
Definition source glosario de Fertilidad
Variants
Synonym
Formal
Abbreviation
ICM
Formal
Equivalents

Spanish

masa celular interna
embrioblasto

Valenciano

massa cel·lular interna
Associated concepts
Type of
embryonic structure
Examples
By day 5 or 6, the embryo becomes a blastocyst, a complex multicellular structure of 32-256 blastocoels, with an inner cell mass (ICM) that develops into the embryo, and an outer layer of cells (termed trophoblasts) that develop into the placenta.
The region where the inner cell mass is attached to the trophectoderm is called the embryonic pole, which is the crucial site for interaction of the blastocyst with the endometrium.
Collocations
WITH VERBS
assess | vitrify | attach | leave | push the inner cell mass
WITH ADJECTIVES
packed | visible | minimum inner cell mass