Embryology & Early Development
Neurulation
Neurulation is the process by which the neural tube forms and closes during early development.
In short: Neurulation
- Disruptions in neurulation underlie neural tube defects.
- It occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy.
- It involves the neural plate folding into a tube.
- It is a tightly coordinated developmental step.
What it is
It is the developmental process of forming and closing the neural tube. During neurulation, a flat sheet of cells folds and fuses into the closed tube that becomes the central nervous system.
Understanding Neurulation
When neurulation does not complete normally, neural tube defects like encephalocele can result. The process unfolds in the first weeks of pregnancy and involves several precise steps — the neural plate folds, its edges rise and meet, and the tube closes. Problems at the head end of this process are linked to cranial defects like encephalocele.
Why it matters
Understanding neurulation helps families see that encephalocele arises from a specific, very early developmental process — not from anything that happens later in pregnancy.
Common questions
What is neurulation?
The forming and closing of the neural tube.
When does it happen?
In the first weeks of pregnancy.
What if it's disrupted?
Neural tube defects can result.
Bottom line
Neurulation is how the neural tube forms and closes, and its disruption underlies encephalocele.
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