Neuralrohr

Neuralrohr is the German term for the neural tube, the embryonic structure that forms the central nervous system in vertebrates, including the brain and spinal cord.

Formation and closure: Neurulation begins with the neural plate, which folds inward to form neural folds that converge and fuse, creating the hollow neural tube. In humans, closure begins in the middle of the embryo and proceeds both rostrally and caudally, with the cranial and caudal neuropores closing within the first month of gestation.

Anatomy and derivatives: The neural tube consists of an inner lining called the ependymal or ventricular zone, which generates the brain's gray matter; the intermediate mantle zone that becomes gray matter and early neurons; and the marginal zone that becomes white matter. As development proceeds, the tube regions differentiate into the brain vesicles (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain) and the spinal cord.

Relation to neural crest: The edges of the neural plate form neural folds; as the tube closes, cells at the edges detach to form the neural crest, which gives rise to peripheral neurons, glia, and other tissues.

Function and clinical significance: The neural tube serves as the primary scaffold for the CNS and gives rise to all neurons and many glial cells of the brain and spinal cord. Defects in neural tube closure, known as neural tube defects, include anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele. Risk factors include folate deficiency, maternal diabetes, and certain medications; prevention includes periconceptional folic acid supplementation, with public health programs encouraging intake.

Name usage: The term Neuralrohr is used in German-language texts; in English the corresponding term is neural tube.