cytotrophoblast /sī′tōtrof″əblast′/ [Gk, kytos + trophe, nutrition, blastos, germ] , the inner layer of cells of the trophoblast of the early mammalian embryo that gives rise to the outer surface and villi of the chorion. Also called Langhans’ layer. Compare syncytiotrophoblast. −cytotrophoblastic, adj.
