somite

American  

[soh-mahyt] / ˈsoʊ maɪt /

noun

1. any of the longitudinal series of segments or parts into which the body of certain animals is divided; a metamere.

2. Embryology. one member of a series of paired segments into which the thickened dorsal zone of mesoderm is divided.

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somite British  

/ səʊˈmɪtɪk, ˈsəʊmaɪt, ˈsəʊmɪtəl /

noun

1. 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. zoology another name for metamere

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Other Word Forms

• somital adjective
• somitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of somite

First recorded in 1865–70; som(a) ¹ + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

By the fourth week, mesoderm tissue located on either side of the notochord thickens and separates into a repeating series of block-like tissue structures, each of which is called a somite.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Note.—The central part of the tail fin is usually included as a somite.

From A Guide for the Study of Animals by Lucas, Frederic

Only one somite following the first post-oral or mandibular segment has its appendages modified as jaws.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various

They are long, slender, coiled tubes, two in each somite, lying in the body cavity, one on each side of the alimentary canal.

From A Guide for the Study of Animals by Lucas, Frederic

I, Coelom of the first somite which carries the antennae and is in front of the mouth.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various