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The neural crest, a component of the ectoderm, is one of several ridgelike clusters of cells found on either side of the neural tube in vertebrate embryos.
It has been referred to as the fourth germ layer, due to its great importance.
Products
During development (at the stage of neurulation), these cells migrate extensively to yield a wide range of cell types and structures:
- Proximal to the spinal cord and line up symmetrically to form the dorsal root ganglia.
- Near the vertebral column and become sympathetic chain ganglia.
- Anterior of the aorta to become the four pre-aortic ganglia (celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, inferior mesenteric ganglion and aortical renal ganglia)
- Walls of the viscera to become enteric ganglia.
- Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla.
- Sensory ganglia of the fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth cranial nerves.
- Facial mesenchyme of the pharyngeal arches.
- odontoblasts (dentin-producing cells) of the teeth.
- Into the skin to form melanocytes.
- Into the developing heart and form the spiral septum.
The nomenclature of these cells derives from avian studies which demonstrate migration from the neural crest which forms on the rostral region of the ectoderm in the trilaminar disc. In humans, the cells actually migrate from the lateral margins of the neural tube however the use of 'crest cells' in this regard is retained.
See also
External links
"Neural crest"