1. plural of invagination; the process or result of folding inward or turning inside out, especially in biological structures.
Usage: primarily used in biology, embryology, and anatomy; technical/scientific term
2. in embryology, the inward folding of a layer of cells during early development, forming a cavity or pocket.
Usage: embryology; developmental biology

Examples

• During gastrulation, invaginations of the ectoderm form the neural tube.
• The invaginations of the cell membrane create specialized compartments within the cell.
• Tissue invaginations are critical for the formation of organs during embryonic development.
• The microscope revealed several invaginations in the epithelial layer.
• These invaginations allow for increased surface area in the intestinal lining.