Embrionaalse

Embrionaalse is a Dutch adjectival form meaning relating to an embryo or to embryology. The term is used in biology, medicine and related fields to describe structures, cells, tissues or processes connected with embryos or embryogenesis. It derives from the Greek embryon-, via Latin embryon-, and is used in modern Dutch alongside related forms such as embryonaal.

In biology and embryology, embrionaalse describes early developmental stages and material produced during the embryo phase. It is commonly seen in phrases like embrionale ontwikkeling (embryonic development) or embrionale cellen (embryonic cells). The term helps distinguish embryonic from later developmental phases such as fetal or neonatal.

In medicine, embrionaalse appears in contexts like embryonale tumoren, which are tumors that resemble embryonic tissue. Notable examples in clinical usage include terms such as embryonale carcinoma or embryonale rhabdomyosarcoma, which reference the tumor’s embryonic-like features and occur primarily in pediatric oncology. In research, embrionale stamcellen (embryonic stem cells) are derived from early-stage embryos and are studied for their potential in understanding development and regenerative medicine. The use of embryonal material raises ethical considerations that are discussed in medical and policy literature.

See also: Embryology, Embryonal carcinoma, Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonale stamcellen.