Tag: Vitelline membrane

Most eggs sold in grocery stores are not fertilized, but a small white disc on the yolk's surface, known as the germinal disc, is one of several natural structures found inside an egg. This often-misunderstood anatomy is where a lesser-known, rope-like structure—the white membrane in an egg yolk—plays a critical role.

The vitelline membrane, the scientific name for the yolk membrane, is a multilayered structure. The primary function of the yolk membrane in an egg is to protect and maintain the yolk's integrity while serving as a microbial barrier and regulating nutrient exchange.

Did you know that an egg yolk contains nearly all of the egg's fat-soluble vitamins and minerals? While many assume it is just the yellow part, this seemingly simple sphere is a marvel of biological engineering with a complex internal structure and distinct components.