Somite
Somite is a division of the body of an animal or embryo. In humans, somites are spheres of mesoderm that form along the neural tube during embryonic development. They give rise to important structures such as the vertebral column, skeletal muscle, and dermis.
Development[edit | edit source]
Somites are formed from the paraxial mesoderm. This process, known as somitogenesis, begins in the third week of human embryonic development. The paraxial mesoderm is divided into segments, and each segment will eventually form a somite. The process of somitogenesis is controlled by a complex network of genes and proteins.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Each somite is composed of a dorsal part called the dermomyotome, which gives rise to the dermis and skeletal muscle, and a ventral part called the sclerotome, which forms the vertebral column. The dermomyotome is further divided into the myotome, which forms skeletal muscle, and the dermatome, which forms the dermis.
Function[edit | edit source]
Somites play a crucial role in the development of the vertebrate body plan. They give rise to the segmented pattern of the vertebral column and play a role in the development of the peripheral nervous system. In addition, somites are involved in the formation of the axial skeleton, voluntary muscles, and dermis of the skin.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in somite development can lead to a variety of congenital disorders. These include vertebral segmentation disorders such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylosis. In addition, somite abnormalities can result in muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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