Neural Crest Development

Introduction

The neural crest are bilaterally paired strips of cells arising in the ectoderm at the margins of the neural tube. These cells migrate to many different locations and differentiate into many cell types within the embryo. This means that many different systems ([neuron.htm neural], [skin.htm skin], [skin10.htm teeth], [head.htm head], [face.htm face], [heart.htm heart], [endocrine9.htm adrenal glands], [git.htm gastrointestinal tract]) will also have a contribution fron the neural crest cells.

In the body region, neural crest cells also contribute the peripheral nervous system (both neurons and glia) consisting of sensory ganglia (dorsal root ganglia), sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia and neural plexuses within specific tissues/organs.

In the head region, neural crest cells migrate into the pharyngeal arches (as shown in movie below) forming ectomesenchyme contributing tissues which in the body region are typically derived from mesoderm (cartilage, bone, and connective tissue).

General neural development is also covered in Neural Notes.

Lecture Objectives

Understand the structures derived from ectoderm.
Understand the formation of neural folds.
Identify the initial location of neural crest cells in the trilaminar embryo.
Identify pathways of neural crest migration throughout the embryo.
To know the major tissues to which neural crest cells contribute.
To know how abnormalities in development that result from abnormal neural crest cell migration.
Understand how neural crest cells contribute to the pharyngeal arches and the head structures they form.

Textbook References

Glossary Links

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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, April 18) Embryology 2009 Lecture 12. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/2009_Lecture_12

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