Neurulation

• Neurulation is the most part of organogenesis in

vertebrate embryos
• Neurulation in vertebrates results in the formation of the
neural tube
• Both brain & spinal cord are originate from the neural
plate
• neural crest give rise to a variety of cell types
ex: pigment cells, neurons.
• Notochord located cylindrical mass of mesoderm which
then develop the somites (future muscles, bones, and
contributes to the formation of limbs of the vertebrate) .
 Neurulation
Neurulation accomplishes three major
things in higher vertebrates:

(1) It creates the neural tube

(2) It creates the neural crest
(3) It creates the bona fide epidermis.
 Primary Neurulation
the neural plate creases (neural crest) inward until the edges come in
contact and fuse

Primary neurulation occurs in response to soluble growth factors

secreted by the notochord

As a result of the cellular shape changes, the neural plate forms the
medial hinge point

the neural plate to fold resulting in neural folds and the creation of the
neural groove
 the binding of the neural tube to the epidermis

notochordal plate is formed and attaches overlying

neuroepithelium of the neural plate

The notochord plate separates and forms the solid notochord

Then, the bona fide epidermis, which covers over the neural
tube is formed.
 Secondary Neurulation
the tube forms by hollowing out of the interior of a
solid precursor

the neural ectoderm and some cells from the

endoderm form the medullary cord

The medullary cord condenses, separates and then

forms cavities

These cavities then merge to form a single tube

Tubes from both primary and secondary neurulation

eventually connect

Mesoderm that surrounding the notochord at the

sides will then develop into the somites
 General Process of Neurulation
Neurulation begins with the formation of a neural
plate, a thickening of endoderm.

Changes in cell shape and cell adhesion cause the

edges of the plate fold and rise, meeting in the
midline to form a tube

The cells at the tips of the neural folds come to lie

between the neural tube and the overlying
epidermis.

Neural crest arise from the junction of the neural folds

and the surface ectoderm
Process begins before folds fuse and after neural
tube forms

Composed of a mass of cells in midline dorsal to

the neural tube

They split and migrate laterally and ventrally

Dispersed widely into the mesoderm