myotome

views updated May 21 2018

myotome One of a series of segmented muscle blocks found in fishes and lancelets. Myotomes are arranged in pairs on either side of the body that work antagonistically (see antagonism) against the backbone (or notochord), providing a means of locomotion by causing the tail to sweep from side to side.

A Dictionary of Biology

myotome

views updated May 21 2018

myotome See SOMITE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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myotome

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