SOMITES Meaning and
Definition
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Somites are pairs of segmental blocks or units that are present in the early developing embryo of vertebrates, including humans. They form along the main body axis called the notochord during the process of somitogenesis. Somitogenesis refers to the segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm, the layer of mesodermal cells located adjacent to the notochord.
The somites are formed by the sequential subdivision of this paraxial mesoderm into regularly spaced blocks, with each block representing a somite. The process is highly orchestrated and regulated by various genes and signaling pathways.
Somites play a crucial role in the development of the musculoskeletal system including the axial skeleton, skeletal muscles, and dermis. They give rise to various components of the body such as the vertebrae, ribs, tendons, and connective tissues. The number and size of somites vary between different species.
In early embryonic development, somites also contribute to the formation of various organs and tissues including the notochord, kidneys, adrenal glands, and walls of blood vessels. They are also involved in the establishment of left-right asymmetry and segmentation of the nervous system. The formation of somites is tightly regulated and any disruptions or abnormalities in somitogenesis can lead to severe developmental defects and disorders. Overall, somites are essential building blocks in the early embryonic development of vertebrates, playing a crucial role in establishing the body's segmented structure.
Common Misspellings for SOMITES
- somits
- aomites
- zomites
- xomites
- eomites
- womites
- simites
- skmites
- slmites
- spmites
- s0mites
- s9mites
- sokites
- sojites
- somutes
- somjtes
- somktes
- somotes
- som9tes
- som8tes
Etymology of SOMITES
The word "somites" has its etymology derived from the Greek word "soma", meaning "body". In embryology, "somites" refers to the paired blocks of cells that form along the sides of the neural tube in the developing embryo to give rise to the vertebrae and skeletal muscle. The term was first used in this context by the German anatomist Karl Ernst von Baer in the early 19th century. The plural form "somites" is used to denote multiple individual blocks of cells.
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