ABSTRACT
The nervous system develops from a group of ectodermal cells extending the entire length of the embryo along the dorsal midline. The central core of this ‘neural plate’ folds inwards to form a tube – the basic neuraxis – while the more laterally placed ‘neural crest’ cells migrate inwards to form the main sensory elements of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems (Figure 7.1). The remainder of the central nervous system (CNS) and the motor
elements of the peripheral nervous system develop from the neural tube.
