What is "germinal membrane"

Germinal \Ger"mi*nal\, a. [See Germ.]

1. Pertaining or belonging to a germ; as, the germinal vesicle.

2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the germ, or germ cells, as distinguished from the somatic cells.

   Germinal layers (Biol.), the two layers of cells, the ectoblast and entoblast, which form respectively the outer covering and inner wall of the gastrula. A third layer of cells, the mesoblast, which is formed later and lies between these two, is sometimes included.

   Germinal membrane. (Biol.) Same as Blastoderm.

   Germinal spot (Biol.), the nucleolus of the ovum.

   Germinal vesicle, (Biol.), the nucleus of the ovum of animals.