Last edited: 8/11/2021

1. MESODERM
Mesoderm Medical Editor: Jan Camille M. Santico

In the second week, the primitive streak and primitive

OUTLINE node develop
o FGF8 is released, causing epiblast cells to migrate
I) EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT through the primitive streak
II) MESODERMAL DERIVATIVES  Move downward, laterally, and cranially (towards
III) REVIEW QUESTIONS
the prechordal plate)
IV) REFRENCES
o The migration of epiblast cells forms three new layers:
I) EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT  Endoderm – epiblast cells invade the hypoblast
layer
Recall: Gastrulation is the process wherein the three  Mesoderm – epiblast cells form a new layer in
germ layers and the axial orientation are established in between the epiblast and hypoblast
the embryo [Moore et al, 2016]  Ectoderm – epiblast cells differentiate into this
o The bilaminar disc is transformed into a trilaminar disc o Epiblast cells also migrate through the primitive node
The inner cell mass of a blastocyst differentiates into two  Move downward and cranially, forming a tubular
layers: process called the notochord
o Epiblast – on top of this is the amniotic sac  The notochord is found below the ectoderm and in
o Hypoblast – below this is the yolk sac between the mesoderm
The notochord secretes proteins and growth factors (GH
and SHH) to:
o induce the overlying ectoderm to undergo the
neurulation process
o trigger the adjacent mesoderm to differentiate

II) MESODERMAL DERIVATIVES

The mesoderm differentiates into:
o Paraxial mesoderm (most medial) (A) PARAXIAL MESODERM
o Intermediate mesoderm The paraxial mesoderm is the most medially located
o Lateral plate mesoderm (most lateral) portion of the mesoderm
 Somatic layer / Somatopleure It segments into chunks called somites
 Splanchnic layer / Splanchnopleure Each somite develops a cavity in the center called a
somitocoele, which extends and separates the somite
into two halves:
o Dermatomyotome  dermatome + myotome
o Sclerotome
(1) Dermatome
The dermatome forms the following structures:
o Spinal meninges
o Skin (dermis and subcutaneous tissue)
(2) Myotome
The myotome forms the following structures:
Figure 1. Mesodermal Differentiation at 18 days [Moore, 2016] o Muscle tissue
o Epaxial muscles (dorsal muscles of the back)
o Hypaxial muscles (trunk and limb muscles)
(3) Sclerotome
The sclerotome forms the following structures:
o Vertebrae (body, spinous process, vertebral process)
o Intervertebral discs
o Ribs

Figure 2. Mesodermal Differentiation at 21 days [Moore, 2016]

Figure 3. Somite Differentiation [Gilbert, 2000]

MESODERM EMBRYOLOGY: Note #1. 1 of 3

 (B) INTERMEDIATE MESODERM (2) Somatic Layer / Somatopleure / Parietal Mesoderm
The intermediate mesoderm is located in between the Located beneath the ectoderm
paraxial mesoderm and lateral mesoderm Differentiates into:
It forms the following structures: o Parietal pleura
o Renal system o Pericardium
 Kidneys o Peritoneum
 Ureters o Sternum (parts)
o Gonads o Limb buds
 Male: testes  Lateral plate mesoderm then moves into the limb
 Female: ovaries buds to create the bones and cartilage
o Ductal System
(3) Splanchnic Layer / Splanchnopleure / Visceral
 Male: epididymis, vas deferens
Mesoderm
 Female: fallopian tubes, uterus
Located near the endoderm
(C) LATERAL PLATE MESODERM Differentiates into:
(1) Folding of Embryo [Moore et al, 2016] o Visceral pleura
o Visceral pericardium
The embryo undergoes folding in the median and o Visceral peritoneum
horizontal planes due to rapid growth. o Adrenal cortex
This transforms the embryo from a trilaminar disc into a o Spleen
cylindrical embryo. o Smooth muscle of the GIT (visceral layer)
Folding in the median plane produces head and tail folds, o Development of cardiovascular system
which can be visualized in sagittal section (See Figure 4. o Development of structures made by red bone marrow
Folding in the Median Plane )  Myeloid stem cells (neutrophils, basophils,
Folding in the horizontal plane produces right and left eosinophils)
lateral folds, which fuse at the median plane to form a  Lymphoid stem cells
cylindrical embryo  Erythroid stem cells
o Can be visualized in cross section (See Figure 5.
Folding in the Horizontal Plane ) Remember
o This folding makes the following structures more Mnemonic for Mesodermal Derivatives: MESODERMAL CELLS
apparent: Myeloid stem cells
 Intraembryonic coelom Erythroid stem cells
 Somatopleure / Somatic mesoderm Spleen
 Splanchnopleure / Splanchnic mesoderm gOnads
Dermis
Entire trunk
Renal system
Meninges
Adrenal cortex
Lymphoid stem cells / Lymph nodes
Cardiovascular system
Endothelium of blood vessels
Lining of body cavities (visceral and parietal)
Limbs
Smooth muscle of GIT

Figure 4. Folding in the Median Plane [Sadler, 2019]

Figure 5. Folding in the Horizontal Plane [Sadler, 2019]

2 of 3 EMBRYOLOGY: Note #1. MESODERM

 III) REVIEW QUESTIONS

Which of the following is a derivative of paraxial

mesoderm?
a. Kidney
b. Basophil
c. Dermis
d. Spleen

Which of the following is NOT a derivative of the

sclerotome?
a. Vertebral body
b. Ribs
c. Radius
d. Intervertebral discs

The parietal pleura is derived from which type of

mesoderm?
a. Paraxial mesoderm
b. Intermediate mesoderm
c. Somatic mesoderm
d. Splanchnic mesoderm

Which of the following is NOT a derivative of the

intermediate mesoderm?
a. Kidneys
b. Testes
c. Fallopian Tubes
d. Adrenal cortex

Which of the following is a derivative of the

splanchnopleure?
a. Adrenal cortex
b. Parietal peritoneum
c. Subcutaneous tissue
d. Spinal meninges

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

IV) REFRENCES
● Gilbert SF. Developmental Biology. 6th edition. Sunderland
(MA): Sinauer Associates; 2000. Paraxial Mesoderm: The Somites
and Their Derivatives.
● Moore, K.; Persaud, T.V.N. & Torchia, M. (2016). The
Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 10th Ed.
Elsevier
● Sadler,T.W. (2019). Langman’s Medical Embryology. 14th Ed.
Wolters Kluwer

MESODERM EMBRYOLOGY: Note #1. 3 of 3