| a tube formed by the closure of ectodermal tissue in the early vertebrate embryo that later develops into the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia. |
| neural tube n. A dorsal tubular structure in the vertebrate embryo formed by longitudinal folding of the neural plate and differentiating into the brain and spinal cord. |
neural tube n.
A dorsal tubular structure in the vertebrate embryo that develops into the brain and spinal cord.
| neural tube
A tubular structure that results from the folding of tissue along the back of vertebrate embryos and develops into the brain and spinal cord. Improper folding of the neural tube is the cause of spina bifida and other birth defects. |