What is "invaginate"

Invaginate \In*vag"i*nate\, Invaginated \In*vag"i*na`ted\, a. (Biol.)

1. Sheathed.

2. Having one portion of a hollow organ drawn back within another portion.

Invaginate \In*vag"i*nate\, v. t. To insert as in a sheath; to produce intussusception in.

1650s, from Medieval Latin invaginatus, past participle of invaginare "to put into a sheath," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + vagina "a sheath" (see vagina). Related: Invaginated; invagination.

1. 1 (context biology English) sheathed 2 (context biology English) Having one portion of a hollow organ drawn back within another portion. v

2. 1 (context medicine surgery English) To fold up or enclose into a sheath-like or pouch-like structure, either naturally or as part of a surgical procedure. 2 (context medicine English) To turn or fold inwardly. 3 (context medicine English) Infolding to create a hollow space where none had existed, as with a gastrula forming from a blastula.

1. v. sheathe; "The chrysalis is invaginated"

2. fold inwards; "some organs can invaginate" [syn: introvert]