Development of the Nervous System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the development of the nervous system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Neurulation

The process of the neural tube formation.

Neural canal

A cavity inside the neural tube.

Neural tube defects

Congenital conditions resulting from the incomplete closure of the neural tube.

Ectoderm

The outer germ layer that develops into the central nervous system, skin, and related structures.

Notochord

A structure that stimulates the conversion of surface ectoderm into neuroectoderm; provides support for the embryo.

Microcephaly

A condition characterized by a small brain in a small cranium.

Spina Bifida

A neural tube defect where there is an incomplete closing of the vertebrae, potentially leading to protrusion of spinal cord and nerves.

Neural crest cells

Cells located at the border of the neural plate that migrate to form various structures in the body.

Prosencephalon

The forebrain, one of the primary brain vesicles.

Oligodendrocytes

Cells that originate from oligodendroglial cells and myelinate axons in the central nervous system.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around a nerve to allow faster impulse conduction.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that arise from the brainstem and are responsible for motor and sensory functions in the head and neck.

Neuroblast

A primitive nerve cell that arises from neuroepithelial cells.

Marginal layer

The outermost layer of the neural tube that becomes the white matter of the spinal cord.

Basal plate

Ventral thickening in the spinal cord that contains motor horn cells.

Alar plate

Dorsal thickening in the spinal cord that forms the sensory areas.