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Glite Dictionary
🧬 Bone-forming tissue 🦴 Bone nerve region
sclerotome

sclerotome

1 9.9
Part of an embryo that becomes bone or cartilage, especially of the spine
  • noun
  • /ˈsklɛrəˌtoʊm/
  • Specialized
: esclerotomo
  • During embryonic development, the sclerotome forms bones that provide structure to the vertebral column.

Examples

  • The basal support for the hindbrain is provided by parachordals that are formed from the sclerotome portion of anterior somites.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The sclerotome is crucial for the formation of cartilage in the developing spine.

  • The polar bodies are probably derived from the sclerotome.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Scientists study how the sclerotome differentiates to understand vertebral column abnormalities.

Surface Forms

sclerotome singular
sclerotomes plural

Morphology

sclerotome = sclera + tome (opaque) = scler + tome

The term is built from Greek combining forms and is used in specialized embryological contexts; average learners will not deduce 'part of a somite that forms bone' from the parts.

Etymology

Sclerotome comes from Greek parts scler- meaning 'hard' as in sclerosis, and -tome meaning 'section'. In an embryo the sclerotome is the 'hard section' that becomes bone or cartilage, which is why it later forms the vertebrae and parts of the rib cage.