EMBRYOLOGY LECTURE 6

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Outline;

 Introduction
 Induction of the ectoderm
 Primitive brain parts
 Malformations

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The function of the CNS is
to conduct impulses to and from the brain. The bones of the cranium (cranial cavity) houses the
brain while spinal vertebrae houses the spinal cord. The meninges are soft tissues that enclose and
protect the brain and the spinal cord. The three layers of meninges are; dura matter, arachnoid
matter and the pia matter. The brain is connected to the spinal cord in the foramen magnum.

Induction of the ectoderm

 In the 3rd week, the notochord induces the ectoderm germ layer to form a thickened
ectoderm known as neural plate, located in front of the primitive pit.
 The lateral edges of the neural plate become elevated and forms neural folds.
 The elevation continues and the neural folds approach each other in the midline, while a
groove (neural groove) is found in between the two folds. After fusing in the midline, a tube
is formed known as neural tube. The fusion begins in the cervical region and proceeds in the
cephalic and caudal direction
 At the cranial and caudal ends, there is delay in the fusion of the neural folds and therefore,
there are openings known as neuropores which keep the lumen of the neural tube and
amniotic cavity connected
  Closure of cranial neuropores occurs on 25 th day while caudal neuropores closes on the 27 th
day.

Primitive brain

 The cephalic end of the neural tube is characterised by three dilations (the primitive
brain vesicles); 1) forebrain=prosencephalon, 2) the midbrain= mesencephalon, 3)
hindbrain= rhombencephalon
 As growth continues, in a 5wks embryo, prosencephalon consists of 2 parts namely;
1) telencephalon which give rise to the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain, and
2) diencephalon which gives rise to optic vesicles among others. Rhombencephalon
consist of 2 parts namely; 1) metencephalon which gives rise to pons and
cerebellum, and 2)myelincephalon which gives rise to medulla oblongata.
Derivates of the neural tube

 The lumen of the neural tube becomes the central canal in the spinal cord and in the
brain, it form cavities known as ventricles. The cavity of the rhomencephalon is
known as the fourth ventricle, that of diencephalon is known as the 3 rd ventricle
while there are two lateral ventricles associated with the cerebral
hemispheres. These ventricles communicate and cerebral spinal fluid is produced in
the ventricles. 3rd and 4th ventricles communicate through the aqueduct of Sylvius.
The two laterals communicate with 3rd ventricle through foramina of Monro.
 The wall of the neural tube consist of neuroepithelial cells. Once the neural tube is
closed, the neuroepithelial cells differentiate into neuroblasts (primitive nerve cells).
Further development of the neuroblasts gives rise to neurons (adult nerve cells). The
neuroepithelial cells also give rise to primitive supporting cells known as gl iablast..
These gliablasts differentiate into astrocytes, microglia and oligodendroglia

Neural crest cells

 A group of cells known as neural crest cells appear along each edge of the neural
groove. These cells are of the ectodermal origin. They migrate and gives rise to
sensory ganglion cells and Shwann cells
 By the 4th week, the neural tube is a closed tubular structure and detach from
overlying ectoderm

Pituitary gland development

It develops from two sources
1) Downward extension of the diencephalon (the infundibulum)
2) Ectodermal outgrowth of the stomatodeum immediately in front of the buccopharyngeal
membrane (Rathke’s pouch)
Defects/malformations
The neural tube may fail to close and or the vertebrae may fail to fuse. As a result, the neural
tube and its contents remain exposed to the external environment
 Spina bifida= exposure of the spinal cord
 Anencephalus= exposure of the brain

Spina bifida: Refers to a wide range of defects of the spinal cord

 Failure of the dorsal portion of the vertebrae to fuse with one another= spino bifida
occulta. It is common in sacrolumber region and mostly covered with skin. There are
small tuft of hair over the defect
 If more than one or two vertebrae are involved, the spinal cord bulge through the
opening and a sac covered with skin is visible=Meningocele
 If the sac is so large it may contain not only the meninges but also the spinal cord
and its nerves=Meningomyelocele.
 If the neural tube fails to close, the nervous tissue is widely exposed to the
surface=myelocele or Rachischisis
 Commonly, menigomyelocele is accompanied with caudal displacement of medulla
and a portion of cerebellum into the spinal canal resulting in hydrocephalus. The two
combined conditions are known as Arnold chiari malformation

Defects of fusion in the skull

 Occipital bone is commonly affected. If small portion of bone is involved, only

the meninges bulge=meningocele
 If the bone defect is large, part of the brain may penetrate through the opening
into the meningeal sac=meningoencephalocele. If also part of the ventricles
have penetrated=meningo hydrocephalocele