Somites: Formation and Role in Developing the Body Plan

Somites are blocks of mesoderm [4] that are located on either side of the neural tube [5] in the developing vertebrate embryo. Somites are precursor populations of cells that give rise to important structures associated with the vertebrate body plan and will eventually differentiate into dermis, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons, and vertebrae. Somites also determine the migratory paths of neural crest cells [6] and of the axons of spinal nerves.