somite

(noun)

one of the paired masses of mesoderm distributed along the sides of the neural tube that will eventually become dermis, skeletal muscle, or vertebrae

Related Terms

Examples of somite in the following topics:

  • Gene Expression for Spatial Positioning

    • A spatial pattern of gene expression reorganizes the mesoderm into groups of cells called somites with spaces between them.
    • The somites will further develop into the ribs, lungs, and segmental (spine) muscle.
    • In this five-week old human embryo, somites are segments along the length of the body.

  • Organogenesis

    • A spatial pattern of gene expression reorganizes the mesoderm into groups of cells called somites, with spaces between them.
    • The somites will further develop into the ribs, lungs, and segmental (spine) muscle.

  • Establishing Body Axes during Development

    • In mammals, secondary neurulation begins around the 35th somite.