Human Embryology and Teratology
Teaching text 3: The trilaminar embryonic disc 10: Neural crest
Neural crest
Neural crest cells originate from the junction between the neural plate and surface ectoderm. Most of these cells leave the ectoderm whilst neural folding is taking place; the others depart from regions of the previously closed neural tube. Neural crest cells migrate over large distances. They differentiate into different cell lines, particularly to form ganglions of the peripheral nervous system and to form ectomesenchyme.