Somite Epithelial Cells (OSmt)

The four most rostral somites become incorporated into the occipital region of the embryonic skull. Migratory myoblasts arising from occipital somites form a condensed mesenchymal band, known as the hypoglossal cord that elongates and brings myoblasts ventral to the pharynx, where they form both intrinsic and the most extrinsic tongue muscles, as well as intrinsic laryngeal muscles.