Embryonic development of nervous system

Question 1

timeline of neuralation

Answer 1

begins in week 3
neural tube development begins in week 4 of pregnancy and has formed by day 22
in week 4 three primary brain vesicles form, the prosencephalon (forebrain), mesencephalon (midbrain), rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
in week 5 five secondary vesicles form

Question 2

what is gyrification

Answer 2

folding of the brain
complex circuit formation occurs between week 10 and 40

Question 3

what is spina bifida

Answer 3

abnormal closure of the neural tube

Question 4

what is anencephaly

Answer 4

failure of neural tube closure at the cranium (usually not compatible with life)

Question 5

what do neural crest cells do

Answer 5

migrate down along the entire length of neural tube
give rise to sensory ganglia and neurones, autonomic neurones, Schwann cells, melanocytes, teeth and meninges

Question 6

what is Hirschsprung’s disease

Answer 6

aka congenital megacolon
failure of neural crest to migrate and form parasympathetic structures in the colon

Question 7

what is a phaeochromocytoma tumour

Answer 7

tumour of the chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands
rare cause of adrenergic storm due to overproduction of adrenaline and noradrenaline