Somatic

Somatic is an adjective derived from the Greek soma, meaning body. In science and medicine, it denotes aspects related to the body as distinct from the germ line, the mind, or reproductive cells. The term is used across biology, medicine, psychology, and neuroscience to describe physical structure, processes, or dysfunctions that involve the body proper rather than heredity or cognition.

In cell biology, somatic cells are all cells of the body excluding germ cells (sperm and ova). Most somatic cells divide by mitosis; their genetic mutations are called somatic mutations and are not inherited by offspring unless they occur in germ cells.

In neuroscience and anatomy, soma refers to the cell body of a neuron; the somatic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that mediates voluntary movement and conveys sensory information, as opposed to the autonomic nervous system.

In medicine and psychology, somatic symptoms are physical manifestations that may accompany disease or appear without a clear organic cause. Somatic symptom disorder is a DSM-5 condition characterized by disproportionate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to somatic symptoms. Somatic therapies and approaches emphasize awareness and regulation of bodily processes in trauma and stress.

In genetics and oncology, somatic mutations occur in non-germline cells and can drive cancer development; these mutations are not inherited by offspring. Distinguishing somatic from germline changes is essential for diagnosis and treatment.