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The neural tube formation during gestational development is a complicated morphogenic process that requires various cell signaling and regulation by a variety of genes. It starts during the 3rd and 4th week of gestation. This process is called primary neurulation, and it begins with an open neural plate, then ends with the neural plate bending in specific, distinct steps.[1] These steps ultimately lead to the neural plate closing to form the neural tube. This neural tube serves as the embryonic brain and spinal cord, the central nervous system. Errors in this process can lead to congenital anomalies, such as neural tube defects.
The commonly encountered neural tube defects categorized according to their embryological timeframe are as follows[8][9][8]: Defects of neural folding and neuropore closure—myelomeningocele, anencephaly, encephalocele Incomplete dysjunction—dermal sinus, dermoids, and epidermoids Premature dysjunction—cord lipomas Defective gastrulation—split cord malformation, neurenteric cysts Disordered secondary neurulation—thickened filum terminale, myelocystocele Failure of caudal neuraxial development—sacral agenesis