What Are Somites Function

Somites are literally the building blocks of the vertebrate body plan; they are essential for segmentation, bone and musculature development, as well as creating a template for the nervous system.

How many somites do humans have?

In humans 42-44 somite pairs 9 – 13 are formed along the neural tube. These range from the cranial region up to the embryo’s tail. Several caudal somites disappear again, which is why only 35-37 somite pairs can be counted in the end.

What is a somite in medicine?

[so´mīt] one of the paired segments along the neural tube of a vertebrate embryo, formed by transverse subdivision of the thickened mesoderm next to the midplane, that develop into the vertebral column and muscles of the body.