DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Dr. A. B. Vibar 06/25/2013

Anatomical divisions:
I.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
A. Brain
B. Spinal Cord
II.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
A. Nerves
1. Cranial Nerves emerging from the base
of the brain
2. Spinal Nerves emerging from the sides of
the spinal cord
B. Plexuses
C. Ganglia

All the organ systems of the body start to form during the 3rd
week of human development because during this time,
gastrulation occurs. Gastrulation is the formation of the
definitive germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm).
NEURULATION
process or formation of nervous system that begins during
the 3rd week of human development
embryo (product of fertilization) is known as neurula
starts when neural plate (germ layer of origin: ectoderm)
starts to form
neural tube (germ layer of origin: ectoderm) is formed at
the end of this period
Steps in the process of neurulation:
I.
formation of neural plate and neural folds
II.
closure of neural folds to form the neural tube

The embryonic ectoderm over developing notochord

thickens to form an elongated, slipperlike plate of
thickened epithelial cells called neural plate.

Functional divisions:
I.
Somatic NS
II.
Autonomic NS
A. Sympathetic NS
B. Parasympathetic NS

About the 18th day of development, the neural plate

invaginates along its central axis to form 2 parts: neural
groove (longitudinal and is located at the center) and
neural folds (sides of neural groove).
By the end of 3rd week, the neural folds move together and
fuse to convert the neural plate into the neural tube.

Brainstem is the collective term for the midbrain, pons, and

medulla oblongata.
Embryonic period
starts from 3rd week extending up to 8 weeks
also known as the period of organogenesis because it is
the time when the different organs systems are formed

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

MICRO HSB B Dr. A. B. Vibar (2013)

NEURAL CREST FORMATION

Neuroectodermal cells migrate dorsolaterally forming the
neural crest which will eventually divide into 2 cell masses

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that are located on both sides of the developing neural

tube.
Neural tube differentiates into the central NS (brain & spinal
cord).
Neural crest (germ layer of origin: ectoderm) gives rise to
the cells that form the peripheral NS, autonomic NS, cranial,
spinal and autonomic ganglia.

Neural crest derivatives:

A. sensory ganglia of cranial and spinal nerves
B. neurolemmal sheath of peripheral nerve
C. meninges
D. pigment cells of retina
E. cells of adrenal medulla
Neurulation begins during the early part of the 4th week.
2 openings:
1. cranial 2/3 represents future brain while cranial
neuropore closes on the 25th day
2. caudal 1/3 represents future spinal cord while caudal
neuropore closes 2 days after the closure of cranial
neuropore (25th day)

Layers of neural tube:

a. ependymal layer ependyme (lines the central canal)
b. mantle layer gray matter
o
2 parts:
i.
alar plate posterior/dorsal/sensory horn
ii.
basal plate anterior/ventral/ventral
horn
c. marginal layer white matter

Neuroepithelium
The cells of the NS come from the neuroepithelium of the
developing neural tube therefore, the germ layer of origin is
still ectoderm (except microglia).

DEVELOPMENT OF SPINAL CORD

2 layers of spinal cord:
A. outer layer = white matter
1. posterior folliculus/column
2. lateral folliculus/column
3. anterior folliculus/column
B. inner layer = gray matter
1. posterior/dorsal horn (sensory)
2. anterior/ventral horn (motor)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

MICRO HSB B Dr. A. B. Vibar (2013)

Divisions of glial cells:

I.
microglia
II.
macroglia
o
2 types:
A. astrocytes
B. oligodendrocytes
Cells of the NS:
A. neuroblast neuron
B. glioblast macroglia (astrocyte, oligodendrocyte)
C. ependyma
D. microglia
o
phagocytic cells in the NS
o
derivative of monocytes (inside circulation) or
phagocytic cells (outside circulation)
o
germ layer of origin: mesoderm

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POSITIONAL CHANGES OF THE SPINAL CORD

During embryonic period, the spinal cord is seen in the
entire length of the verterbral canal because the growth of
the spinal cord approximates the growth of the vertebral
column.
Vertebral column and dura mater grow more rapidly than
the spinal cord thus there will be positional changes of the
spinal cord. At 6 months, the spinal cord will terminate at S1.
At birth, it will terminate at L3. During adulthood, the spinal
cord will terminate at the lower border of L1 and upper
border of L2.

NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS

defective closure of the neural tube or neuropores (4th

week)
Factors to consider in NTDs:
a. nutritional factors
o
folic acid plays an important role because it
reduces the chances of the embryo having NTDs
b. environmental factors
o
teratogen exposure
Remember that the most critical period of development is
during the embryonic period (3rd 8th week). Exposure to
teratogens can lead to congenital anomalies.
Spina bifida

nonfusion of the embryonic halves of the vertebral

arches

DEVELOPMENT OF SPINAL GANGLIA

Unipolar neurons in the spinal ganglia (DRG) are derived
from neural crest cells.
Axons are at first bipolar and then they unite in a T-shaped
fashion making them unipolar.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPINAL MENINGES
Spinal meninges originate from the primordial meninx
(membrane).
3 coverings of spinal meninges:
1. dura mater (most external)
2. arachnoid (internally located)
3. pia mater (internally located)
Leptomeninges

collective term for arachnoid and pia mater

MYELINATION OF NERVE FIBERS
Schwann cells

neurolemmal cells

produces myelin in the peripheral NS

Oligodendrocytes

produces myelin in the central NS

Types of spina bifida:

I.
Spina bifida occulta
o
not a neural tube defect because the spinal cord
is still intact
o
occurs in L5 or S1
o
no symptoms
o
presence of small dimple with a tuft of hair
II.
Spina bifida cystica
o
severe type
o
contains a mass
3 forms of spina bifida cystica (depending on the content of the
mass):
A. Spina bifida with meningocele
o
contains meninges with CSF
B. Spina bifida with meningomyelocele
o
spinal cord and/or nerve roots included
C. Spinabifida with myeloschisis
o
most severe type
o
spinal cord in the affected area is open because
the neural folds failed to fuse
Lumbar meningomyelocele

baby is born with lumbosacral

meninges, CSF and spinal cord

hypoplastic, flaccid bilateral LE

arcflexic both LE

urinary incontinence

mass

containing

Multiple sclerosis

example of demyelinating disorder

body is not producing enough myelin

the cells destroyed are oligodendrocytes (because they

are the ones producing myelin in the spinal cord)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAIN

During the 4th week of development, 2 brain flexures form:
the midbrain flexure and the cervical flexure.
Elevation in maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels is
a way to predict that an embryo is suffering from a NTD.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

MICRO HSB B Dr. A. B. Vibar (2013)

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EMBRYOLOGICAL BASIS OF NTDs

The fusion of the neural folds in the cranial region and

closure of the rostral neuropore form the three primary brain
vesicles: forebrain or prosencephalon, midbrain or
mesencephalon, and hindbrain or rhombencephalon.

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE BRAIN

Three types of congenital brain anomalies:
a. structural
anomalies
caused
by
abnormal
organogenesis
b. disturbances in the organization of the cells in the NS
that result in mental retardation
c. errors of metabolism because of an accumulation of
toxic substances

5th

During the
week of development, the primary brain
vesicles will divide forming the secondary brain vesicles:
telencephalon,
diencephalon,
mesencephalon,
metencephalon, and myelencephalon.
The prosencephalon divides into telencephalon and
diencephalon, mesencephalon does not undergo division
and the rhombencephalon divides into metencephalon
and myelencephalon.

Structural anomalies caused by abnormal organogenesis:

I.
Cranium bifidum
o
defects in the formation of the cranium, often in
the squamous part of the occipital bone
o
cerebellum (associated ventricle is the 4th
ventricle) will be the first part of the brain to
herniate because it is located at the most
posterior part of the brain
Types of cranium bifidum:
A. Cranial meningocele
o
only in the meninges herniated
B. Meningoencephalocele
o
meninges and part of brain herniated
C. Meningohydroencephalocele
o
herniation of ventricular system (contains CSF)
encephalo = brain, myelo = spinal cord, meningo =
meninges, hydro = fluid

DERIVATIVES OF THE BRAIN VESICLES

1. Telencephalon cerebrum
2. Diencephalon thalamus
3. Mesencephalon midbrain
4. Metencephalon pons, cerebellum
5. Myelencephalon medulla oblongata

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

MICRO HSB B Dr. A. B. Vibar (2013)

II.

Microencephaly
o
calvaria (cranial bone) and brain are small but
the face is of grossly normal size
o
mental retardation can be expected because
brain is underdeveloped

III.

Exencephaly
o
failure of the cephalic part of the neural tube to
close during 4th week of development
o
malformed brain is exposed which results to tissue
degeneration and will eventually form a mass of
necrotic tissue (anencephaly)

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IV.

Meroanencephaly
o
1 in every 1000 births
o
associated with acrania (absence of calvaria)
o
lethal

Hydrocephaly

excessive accumulation of CSF

not a neural tube defect

congenital anomaly of the ventricular system of the

brain
2 types of hydrocephaly:
A. obstructive or noncommunicating
o
normal production of CSF, but there is an
obstruction
B. nonobstructive or communicating
o
due to a tumor therefore there is excessive
production of CSF

I call on the Lord in my distress,

and He answers me.
-Psalm 120:1, NIV
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
MICRO HSB B Dr. A. B. Vibar (2013)

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