Paraxial mesoderm

Paraxial mesoderm is the area of mesoderm that forms just lateral to the neural tube on both sides.

It differentiates rostrally into somatomeres and caudally into somites.

It gives rise to the somitomeres/somites and mesoderm of the branchial arches.


 * Somites form the vertebral column, dermis and skeletal muscle
 * Branchial arches will develop into facial muscle and cartilage, plus other structures.


 * eventually differentiates into the axial skeleton, skeletal muscle, part of the dermis
 * almost immediately as it is formed, somitomeres develop.
 * starts with several pairs in the cranial region, and increasingly more proceed to develop towards the caudal region.
 * The original seven pairs form the striated muscles of head and neck, which develop within the pharyngeal arches
 * The other somitomeres develop further, to form discrete blocks called somites, starting at approximately 20 days.