Embryology & Early Development
Neural plate
The neural plate is the flat sheet of cells that folds to form the neural tube.
In short: Neural plate
- It is the starting point of nervous system development.
- It folds during neurulation.
- It gives rise to the brain and spinal cord.
- It is one of the earliest nervous-system structures.
What it is
It is the initial flat sheet of cells, on the embryo's surface, that folds and fuses to become the neural tube. It is the earliest recognizable structure of the developing nervous system.
Understanding Neural plate
During neurulation, the neural plate folds along its midline, its edges (neural folds) rise and meet, and it closes into the neural tube. Because it is the origin of the entire central nervous system, the proper folding of the neural plate is the first step toward normal brain and spinal cord development.
Why it matters
Understanding the neural plate helps families trace how the nervous system begins and how an early problem in its folding can lead to a neural tube defect like encephalocele.
Common questions
What does the neural plate become?
The neural tube, and then the brain and spinal cord.
When does it form?
Very early in development.
What happens to it during neurulation?
It folds and closes into a tube.
Bottom line
The neural plate is the flat cell sheet that folds into the neural tube.
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