somite (redirected from Somites)

so·mite  (smt)

n.

1. See metamere.

2. A segmental mass of mesoderm in the vertebrate embryo, occurring in pairs along the notochord and developing into muscles and vertebrae.

---

[Greek sma, body; see soma¹ + -ite.]

---

so·mitic (s-mtk) adj.

---

somite [ˈsəʊmaɪt]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Embryol any of a series of dorsal paired segments of mesoderm occurring along the notochord in vertebrate embryos. It develops into muscle and bone in the adult animal

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology another name for metamere

[from Greek sōma a body]

somital  [ˈsəʊmɪt^əl], somitic [səʊˈmɪtɪk] adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

somite - one of a series of similar body segments into which some animals are divided longitudinally metamere segment - one of the parts into which something naturally divides; "a segment of an orange"