What does somatic mean?
Somatic is an adjective meaning connected with the body, especially in contrast to the mind. It appears in medicine, where somatic symptoms are physical complaints that may or may not have an identifiable medical cause, and in biology, where somatic cells are ordinary body cells that generally are not involved in producing offspring. In anatomy, the phrase somatic nervous system refers to the part of the nervous system controlling involuntary functions such as movement, digestion, and regulation of internal organs. The word is useful because it specifies the bodily dimension of a condition or process without necessarily making a psychological explanation. Its connotations depend on context: in clinical discussion it may suggest the presence of genuine physical symptoms, while in biology it distinguishes non-reproductive cells from germ-line cells.
adjectiveRelating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind. In biology, the term also refers to body cells or tissues rather than reproductive cells.
- Relating to the body or physical as opposed to mental or emotional.
- Relating to the body’s cells or tissues, especially as distinct from reproductive or germ-line cells.
- Denoting physical symptoms or effects manifested in the body, including symptoms not attributable to an identified disease.
"The physician explained that the patient's symptoms were somatic rather than psychological."
"Her rapid recovery was attributed to the treatment's somatic effects rather than any psychological suggestion."
"The researchers used somatic cells to produce a genetically matched line of embryonic stem cells."
Somatic links the body’s cells to ideas of identity, medicine, and biology—all from one ancient Greek word for body.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does somatic come from?
Somatic derives from Greek sōma, meaning “body,” combined with the suffix -atikos, meaning “pertaining to.” The word entered English in the early 19th century in medical usage and later became common in biological terminology. Its relatives include soma, a direct borrowing of the Greek word for body, and words such as somatocyte and somatostatin that continue to use the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How somatic is actually used
In biology, somatic normally contrasts with germ-line. In medicine, it can refer to bodily symptoms or effects, including symptoms experienced in connection with psychological distress; it should not be treated as a synonym for psychosomatic.
Easily confused with somatic
Somatic means relating to the body, whereas psychosomatic describes physical symptoms believed to be influenced by psychological factors.