Somite Development - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Introduction

In the verterbrate embryo, as the neural tube is forming the paraxial mesoderm divides into blocks of cells called somites. These divisions can be seen either side of the neural tube. Somites are transient structures that will give rise to cells of the vertebrae and ribs, dermis of the dorsum, skeletal muscle of the body wall, back and limbs.