an embryo in an early stage of development, consisting of a sac with two layers, the ectoderm and endoderm, enclosing a central cavity, the archenteron, that opens to the outside through the blastopore
See gastrula in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(găsˈtrə-lə)
nounpl.gas·tru·las or gas·tru·lae(-lēˌ)
An embryo at the stage following the blastula, consisting of a hollow, two-layered sac of ectoderm and endoderm surrounding an archenteron that communicates with the exterior through the blastopore.