Somites

Somites are highly ordered mesodermal structures that form along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo during early vertebrate development. They are made up of two compartments, the dermatome and the sclerotome, that give rise to distinct tissues and structures, such as muscles and bones. Somites are essential for the formation of the axial skeleton and the somatic nervous system, and have important implications for the study of tissue regeneration and repair.