The neural tube enlarges in a simpla manner by profliration of cells to form spinal cord

These cells are called neuroepithelial cells which arise from neuroectoderm.

These cells extend the entire thickness of of the wall and form a thick pseudostratified
epithelum.

After closure of the tube, they divide rapidly until they form a layer called neuroepithilial layer
and also give rise to to another cell type called neuroplast cells.

These neuroplast cells arrange around neuroepithilial layer and form MENTAL layer which forms
GREY matter.

Nerve fibers from neuroblasts emerges from the MARGINAL layer and since these cell have to
myelinated, the marginal layer appears as white and give rise to WHITE matter.

As a result of continuous production of neuroblast cells, the neural tube shows VENTRAL and
DORSAL thickening; BASAL and ALAR respectivlely.

BASAL give rise to motor horn cells and ALAR gives rise to sensory area. And they are divided by
longitudinal groove call sulcus terminals.

The dorsal and ventral medline portion of the tube are called roof and floor plates. Their
function is to support and serve as pathways for nerve fibers.

A group neurons accumulate between the two horns and form intermediate horn and it
contains sympathetic portion of the autonomic nerves system.they are found in thoracic and
upper lumber region (T1 – L3).

Nerve cells

They are derived from neuroblast cells.

Inside the mental layer they are rounded and have a central process (Apolar).

Outside the mentle layer, they are they become bipolar and show two processes; one elongates
rapidly and forms the primitive axon and the other gives more processes and give rise to
primitive dendrites and the cell now become multi polar cell which finally lead to NEURON.

Neuroplast cell, once formed, they lose the ability to divide. The axon will come out from the
basal plate and become visible. They conduct motor impulses from the spinal cord to the
muscle.

The sensory neurons penetrate the marginal layer and ascend to either higher or lower to form
association neurons.

Glial cells

They are also formed by neuro epithelial and they form the supporting cells of the CNS. They
migrate from neuroepithelial layer to the marginal and mentle layers.
In the mentle layer they give rise to Astrocytes and they are situated in between blood vessels
and neurons and to support and serve some metabolic functions.

In the marginal layer they give rise to MIROGLIAL cell in the CNS and these are higly phagocytic
cell type.

When the neuroepithelial cells stop producing Neuroblasts and Glial cells, they differentiate into
Ependymal cell lining the central canal of the spinal cord.

Neural Crest cells

They originate from ectoderm and extend through out the length of the neural tube. They
migrate laterlaly and give rise to sensory ganglia (Dorsal root ganglia ) and other cell types .

Sensory ganglial cells form two processes

1- Centrally growing process

2- Peripherally growing process which joins the fibers of the ventral to participate
formation of trunks.
Both of them termnate in the sensory organ receptors.

Neural crest cells give rise to sympathetic, schwann cells and mesenchyme of the pharyngeal
arches.