planula

noun

The flat, free-swimming, ciliated larva of a cnidarian.

noun

The ordinary locomotory embryo of the cœlenterates, which is of flattened form, mouthless, ciliate, and free-swimming.

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. Sometimes used as synonymous with gastrula.

noun

The very young, free-swimming larva of the cœlenterates. It usually has a flattened oval or oblong form, and is entirely covered with cilia.

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.

noun

The larva of a hydrozoan, which is free-swimming and covered in cilia.

noun

the flat ciliated free-swimming larva of hydrozoan coelenterates