noun
- Plural of coelom; body cavities in animals that contain internal organs, lined with mesoderm.
Usage: biology; zoology; technical
Examples
- The coelomes of vertebrates develop from the mesoderm during embryonic development.
- In annelids, the coelomes are segmented and separated by septa.
- The presence of true coelomes distinguishes coelomate animals from acoelomate organisms.
- Mollusks possess coelomes that surround their hearts and reproductive organs.
- The coelomes provide space for organ development and movement in complex animals.