Quicktime Development Animation - Neural Tube

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This animation of early neural development from week 3 onward shows the neural groove fusing to form the neural tube. View - Dorsolateral of the whole early embryo and yolk sac. Cranial (head) to top and caudal (tail) to bottom. Yolk sac is shown to the left. Beginning with the neural groove initially fusing at the level of the 4th somite to form the neural tube and closing in both directions to leave 2 openings or neuropores: a cranial neuropore (anterior neuropore) and a caudal neuropore (posterior neuropore). The animation also shows as the embryo grows and folds it increases in size relative to the initial yolk sac. Note also the increasing number of somites over time. Links: Quicktime version | Lecture - Early Neural Development Remember to use the control bar features if it plays too fast.