Brain vesicle

Brain Vesicle

The term brain vesicle refers to the early developmental stages of the central nervous system in the embryo. During the process of neurulation, the neural tube forms and subsequently differentiates into primary and secondary brain vesicles, which give rise to the major regions of the brain.

Primary Brain Vesicles

The primary brain vesicles are the initial three bulges that form in the neural tube. These are:

• Prosencephalon (forebrain)
• Mesencephalon (midbrain)
• Rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

Secondary Brain Vesicles

The primary brain vesicles further subdivide into secondary brain vesicles:

• The prosencephalon divides into the telencephalon and diencephalon.
• The mesencephalon remains undivided.
• The rhombencephalon divides into the metencephalon and myelencephalon.

Developmental Significance

Each of these secondary brain vesicles develops into specific structures within the mature brain:

• The telencephalon gives rise to the cerebral hemispheres, including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and olfactory bulb.
• The diencephalon forms structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.
• The mesencephalon develops into the midbrain, which includes the tectum and tegmentum.
• The metencephalon becomes the pons and cerebellum.
• The myelencephalon forms the medulla oblongata.

Clinical Relevance

Abnormal development of brain vesicles can lead to various congenital conditions, such as anencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and other neural tube defects. Understanding the formation and differentiation of brain vesicles is crucial in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders.

See Also

• Neurogenesis
• Neural crest
• Neural plate
• Embryogenesis
• Central nervous system