Zona \Zo"na\, n.; pl. Zonae. [L., a girdle. See Zone.]
   A zone or band; a layer.
   [1913 Webster]

   Zona pellucida. [NL.] (Biol.)
   (a) The outer transparent layer, or envelope, of the ovum. It
       is a more or less elastic membrane with radiating striae,
       and corresponds to the cell wall of an ordinary cell. See
       Ovum, and Illust. of Microscope.
   (b) The zona radiata.

   Zona radiata [NL.] (Biol.), a radiately striated membrane
      situated next the yolk of an ovum, or separated from it by
      a very delicate membrane only.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	zona pellucida
    n 1: thick membrane around the mammalian ovum; can be penetrated
         by one sperm in the fertilization process; usually remains
         around the fertilized egg until it is implanted in the wall
         of the uterus