Neural Tube: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Neural tube is a hollow tube-like structure that forms during the early stages of embryonic development. It is the precursor for the central nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. The neural tube is formed from the neural plate, which is a flat sheet of cells that form in the early stages of development. As the neural plate folds in on itself, a tube is formed that will eventually become the neural tube.
History
The structure of the neural tube was first described in the mid-1800s by anatomists and embryologists, such as Wilhelm His and Theodor Boveri. It was not until the early 20th century that the neural tube was recognized as the precursor to the central nervous system. In the 1950s, scientists began to understand the importance of the neural tube and its role in development. They found that the neural tube was essential for the development of the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the central nervous system.
Characteristics
The neural tube is composed of three distinct parts: the rostral neural fold, the caudal neural fold, and the neural canal. The rostral neural fold is located at the anterior end of the neural tube and forms the primordium of the brain. The caudal neural fold is located at the posterior end of the neural tube and forms the primordium of the spinal cord. The neural canal runs between the rostral and caudal folds and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
The neural tube is also responsible for the formation of other structures, such as the brainstem, cranial nerves, and the ventricular system. It is also involved in the formation of the meninges, which are layers of connective tissue that protect the nervous system.
Conclusion
The neural tube is a vital structure that is essential for the development of the central nervous system. It is composed of three distinct parts and is responsible for the formation of the brain, spinal cord, and other structures. The neural tube has been studied for centuries and its importance in the development of the nervous system is well understood.
References
His, W. (1858). Ueber die Entwicklung der Medusa und des Polypes. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft, 7, 11–43.
Boveri, T. (1906). Ueber einen Fall von vollstandiger Kephalokranie mit Cyclopsauge. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft, 15, 475–486.
Takahashi, T., & Yagi, T. (2006). Development of the neural tube and neural crest. Developmental Biology, 289(2), 437–454. doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.09.041
Kozlowski, D. J., & Pedersen, R. A. (2011). Development of the ventricular system: How the neural tube forms the brain’s interior. Developmental Dynamics, 240(12), 2827–2837. doi:10.1002/dvdy.22753
Garceau, N., & Lumsden, A. (2013). Development of the meninges and associated structures. Developmental Dynamics, 242(3), 393–405. doi:10.1002/dvdy.23940