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

See Examples For:

somite

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

With a single pair of parapodial jaws carried by the somite which is perforated by the mouth; this is not the first somite, but the second.

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

The third somite as well as the second develops a pair of parapodial jaws; the first somite is a prosthomere carrying jointed antennae.

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

Study the somite shells on every side and then state what there is in their construction which determines the direction and amount of their motion.

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

The two somites following the mandibular or first post-oral or buccal somite carry appendages modified as maxillae.

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