neurulación

Neurulation is the fundamental developmental process by which the neural plate, a thickened region of the ectoderm, forms the neural tube, the precursor to the central nervous system. This crucial event occurs early in embryonic development across vertebrates. It begins with the formation of the neural plate, induced by signals from the underlying notochord. The edges of the neural plate then elevate to form neural folds, and these folds subsequently move towards the midline and fuse, creating a hollow tube known as the neural tube. This fusion process typically starts in the cervical region and proceeds both cranially and caudally. The neural crest cells, which arise from the dorsal aspect of the closing neural folds, migrate away to form various peripheral structures, including neurons of the peripheral nervous system, glial cells, and pigment cells. Defects in neurulation can lead to severe congenital abnormalities, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The precise mechanisms of neural tube closure involve complex cellular behaviors including cell adhesion, cell shape changes, and coordinated movements of epithelial sheets.