Somatisk

Somatisk is an adjective meaning relating to the body. In English it is rendered somatic; in Danish and Norwegian it corresponds to somatisk. The term stems from Greek soma, body. In science, somatic denotes distinctions between bodily and mental aspects, and between somatic and germline aspects.

In biology and genetics: Somatic cells are the non-reproductive cells of an organism; they divide by mitosis. Somatic mutations occur in body cells after conception and are not inherited by offspring, though they can cause mosaicism or contribute to cancer. The term contrasts with germline mutations.

In medicine and psychiatry: Somatic symptoms refer to physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or gastrointestinal distress. In psychiatry, somatic symptom disorder is characterized by disproportionate thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms. The older term somatization describes the tendency to experience and report bodily symptoms that may have psychological roots.

In neuroscience: The somatic nervous system comprises the motor and sensory pathways that control voluntary movement and perceive external stimuli, as opposed to the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Greek soma. It is used in medical, biological, and clinical contexts in several languages, including English, Norwegian, and Danish, with similar meanings.