Formation of neural tube from folding of neural plate

The neural tube is formed by the folding of the neural plate. The fusion of the edge of the fold ultimately leads to the closure of the groove except at the dorsal and rostral end the so-called, neuropores.

Some of the cells of the neural tube reside between the tube and the surface ectoderm. These cells are neuroectodermal cells which give rise to the neural crest. The cells in the crest differentiate to bone, cartilage and connective tissue cells.