ecto-
outside, outer
From Greek ektos, outside
Meaning
What does ecto- mean?
ecto- is a prefix meaning outside, outer. It comes from Greek ektos, outside.
Inside words it is spelled ect.
Ecto- and exo- both mean outside; the ectoderm is the outer germ layer, with the mesoderm and endoderm inside it.
In real words
Medical words with ecto-
the outermost of the three germ layers of an embryo, which gives rise to the skin and nervous tissue
relating to or arising from the ectoderm, as in ectodermal dysplasia, which affects hair, teeth, nails and sweat glands
relying on heat from outside the body to keep up body temperature; cold-blooded
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with ecto-
In the dictionary
More terms built with it
Terms in our life science dictionary that list ecto- among their word parts.
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 1.3 Common Prefixes – Medical Terminology 2e
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- ECTO- Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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Position
ecto- is one of 14 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
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