Neuroectodermy

Neuroectodermy refers to the outermost germ layer of an early embryo, the ectoderm, specifically the portion that will give rise to the nervous system and other related structures. During gastrulation, the three primary germ layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm – form. The ectoderm is the most dorsal layer.

Within the developing ectoderm, a region called the neural plate emerges. This process, known as neurulation, involves the thickening of the ectoderm in response to signals from the underlying mesoderm. The neural plate then folds inward, forming the neural groove, and eventually fuses to create the neural tube. The neural tube is the precursor to the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

Cells derived from the neural tube are collectively known as neuroectodermal derivatives. These include neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system. Additionally, a significant population of cells, the neural crest cells, delaminate from the edges of the closing neural tube. These cells migrate throughout the embryo and differentiate into a diverse array of cell types, including peripheral neurons, glial cells, melanocytes, and parts of the skull and face. Therefore, neuroectodermy encompasses the developmental origin of both the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as other crucial cell populations.