Somites

Somites

Somites (/ˈsoʊmaɪts/) are blocks of mesoderm that are located on either side of the neural tube in the developing embryo. They are sequentially arranged along the anterior-posterior axis and give rise to important structures in the adult organism.

Etymology

The term "somite" is derived from the Greek word "soma", meaning body. This is because somites contribute to the formation of the body's structure.

Formation

Somites are formed from the paraxial mesoderm, which is one of the three primary types of mesoderm that appear early in the development of an embryo. The process of somite formation is called somitogenesis.

Structure

Each somite is initially a spherical collection of cells, but soon differentiates into two main components: the sclerotome and the dermomyotome. The sclerotome forms the vertebrae and ribs, while the dermomyotome gives rise to the dermis of the skin and the skeletal muscles.

Function

Somites play a crucial role in organizing the segmented pattern of the vertebrate body. They are responsible for the formation of the vertebral column, the ribs, the dermis, and the skeletal muscles. They also contribute to the formation of the vascular system and the lymphatic system.

Related Terms

• Paraxial mesoderm
• Somitogenesis
• Sclerotome
• Dermomyotome
• Vertebral column
• Ribs
• Dermis
• Skeletal muscles
• Vascular system
• Lymphatic system

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Somites
• Wikipedia's article - Somites

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