Neural tube 208900 221607276 2008-06-25T07:31:32Z 212.128.165.210 {{Infobox Embryology | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 7 | GrayPage = 50 | Image = Image19.png | Caption = [[Anatomical_terms_of_location#Planes|Transverse]] section of half of a chick embryo of forty-five hours' incubation. The dorsal (back) surface of the embryo is towards the top of this page, while the ventral (front) surface is towards the bottom. (Neural tube is in green.)| Image2 = Gray18.png | Caption2 = Chick embryo of thirty-three hours' incubation, viewed from the dorsal aspect (30x magnification). | Width = 300 | System = | CarnegieStage = 10 | Precursor = [[Neural groove]] | GivesRiseTo = [[Central nervous system]] ([[brain]] and [[spinal cord]]) | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = t_21 | DorlandsSuf = 12827267 | }} [[Image:Mouse_NT_antibody_NF_Ki67.jpg|250px|thumb|Antibody stain against Neurofilament (green) and Ki 67 (red) in a Mouse embryo 12.5 days after fertilization. The cells expressing neurofilaments are in the dorsal root ganglions shown in green while proliferating cells are in the ventricular zone in the neural tube and colored red.]] In the developing vertebrate, the '''neural tube''' is the [[embryo]]'s precursor to the [[central nervous system]], which comprises the [[brain]] and [[spinal cord]]. The [[neural groove]] gradually deepens as the [[neural folds]] become elevated, and ultimately the folds meet and coalesce in the middle line and convert the groove into a closed tube, the neural tube or neural canal (which strictly speaking is the center of the neural tube), the ectodermal wall of which forms the [[rudiment (biology)|rudiment]] of the nervous system. ==Development== There are 2 ways in which the neural tube develops: [[Neurulation#Primary neurulation|Primary neurulation]] and [[Neurulation|Secondary neurulation]]. * In ''primary neurulation'', the cells of the [[neural plate]] invaginate and pinch off to form the tube. * In ''secondary neurulation'', the cells of the neural plate form a cord-like structure that migrates inside the embryo and hollows to form the tube. Each organism uses primary and secondary neurulation to varying degrees. * Neurulation in ''[[fish]]'' proceeds only via the secondary form. * In ''[[avian]]'' species the caudal regions of the tube develop using secondary neurulation and the anterior regions develop by primary neurulation. * In ''[[mammals]]'', a similar pattern is observed where secondary neurulation begins around the 35th [[somite]]. ==Structure== There are four subdivisions of the neural tube that will each eventually develop into distinct regions of the central nervous system: The [[prosencephalon]], the [[mesencephalon]], the [[rhombencephalon]] and the [[spinal cord]]. * The ''prosencephalon'' further goes on to develop into the [[telencephalon]] (the forebrain or [[cerebrum]]) and the [[diencephalon]] (the [[optic vesicle]]s and [[hypothalamus]]). * The ''mesencephalon'' develops into the [[midbrain]]. * The ''rhombencephalon'' develops into the [[metencephalon]] (the [[pons]] and [[cerebellum]]) and the [[myelencephalon]] (the [[medulla oblongata]]). The neural tube, for a short time is open both [[cranially]] and [[caudally]]. These openings, called neuropores, close during the fourth week in the human. Improper closure of the neuropores can result in [[neural tube defects]] such as [[anencephaly]] or [[spina bifida]]. The [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] part of the neural tube contains the [[alar plate]], which is primarily associated with [[sensation]]. The [[ventral]] part of the neural tube contains the [[basal plate]], which is primarily associated with motor (ie, [[muscle]]) control. ==See also== * [[Neural tube defects]] ==External links== * {{EmbryologySwiss|iperiodembry/carnegie03}} * {{EmbryologyUNSW|Notes/week3_5}} * [http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/Notes/images/neuron/image_002.gif Diagram at embryology.med.unsw.edu.au] * [http://www.brainviews.com/abFiles/DrwNeurtube.htm Diagram at brainviews.com] {{neuroscience-stub}} {{developmental-biology-stub}} {{Gray's}} {{Development of nervous system}} [[Category:Embryology]] [[Category:Developmental biology]] [[de: Neuralrohr]] [[es: Tubo neural]] [[fr:Tube neural]] [[it:Tubo neurale]] [[ja:神経管]] [[nl:Neurale buis]] [[pt:Tubo neural]] [[fi:Hermostoputki]]