logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
20m 39s

Development of the Nervous System

USMLE-Rx
About this episode

Early in fetal development, the precursors of the major systems in the body are outlined. The three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm) are formed during the third week of development. We’ll focus on the ectoderm, from which the entire nervous system (central and peripheral) forms.

But first, let’s back up to review the anatomy of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) so that we know what the end products of their development are. The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord; the PNS is composed of the 31 pairs of spinal and 12 pairs of cranial nerves and all the ganglia.

After listening to this AudioBrick, you should be able to:

  • List the derivatives of ectoderm.
  • Define neurulation and explain how it occurs, including closure and the dates of neuropore closure.
  • Describe the origin, migration, and fate of neural crest cells, particularly those that form the peripheral nervous system.
  • Explain how the neural tube is organized into three layers.
  • Describe how the spinal cord develops from the neural tube, and describe the contributions of each to these layers to the structure of the mature spinal cord, with emphasis on the alar and basal plates.
  • Describe the development of the brain, including the five brain vesicles, the brainstem, and the cerebral cortex.

You can also check out the original brick on the development of the nervous system from our Neurology and Special Senses collection, which is available for free.

Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com

You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for General Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology.

***

If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the more we can provide to the future physicians of the world.

Follow USMLE-Rx at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmlerx Blog: www.firstaidteam.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstaidteam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstaidteam/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/USMLERX

Learn how you can access over 150 of our bricks for FREE: https://usmlerx.wpengine.com/free-bricks/

from our Musculoskeletal, Skin, and Connective Tissue collection, which is available for free.

Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com

You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for General Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology.

***

If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the more we can provide to the future physicians of the world.

Follow USMLE-Rx at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmlerx Blog: www.firstaidteam.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstaidteam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstaidteam/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/USMLERX

Learn how you can access over 150 of our bricks for FREE: https://usmlerx.wpengine.com/free-bricks/

Up next
Jul 5
Rx Question Lab – Neurology
Join us for this special edition of the Rx Bricks Podcast, featuring a complete Rx Question Lab session designed to help medical students master high-yield neurological concepts for USMLE Step 1. In this interactive session, we work through four challenging board-style questions ... Show More
52m 47s
Jun 10
Hypertensive Emergency
Looking for more information on this topic? Check out the Emergent Hypertension brick. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the m ... Show More
28m 55s
Mar 2025
Glycogen Storage Diseases
Glucose is the main source of energy for all forms of life, but it isn’t usually stored as individual C6H12O6 molecules. Animals use glycogen to do that job. Glycogen is a large branched polymer of glucose molecules, linked together by α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic bonds. The liver ... Show More
20m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
MS & The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord serves as the main communication highway between the brain and body. Did you know that 80% of people with multiple sclerosis have spinal cord lesions on MRI? These lesions can disrupt specific neural pathways, leading to common MS symptoms like numbness, weakness, ... Show More
39m 50s
Aug 2024
Episode 916: Central Cord Syndrome
Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: What is Central Cord Syndrome (CCS)? Incomplete spinal cord injury caused by trauma that compresses the center of the cord More common in hyperextension injuries like falling and hitting the chin Usually happens only in individual ... Show More
6m 44s
Jul 2019
The 12 Cranial Nerves: Function and Clinical Significance.
Learn about the 12 Cranial nerves that emerge directly from the brain. Also the Clinical significance anatomically and functionality if damaged. Visit our YouTube channel and take the Cranial Nerve Quiz - https://youtu.be/yTUflLf5bgI 
12m 25s
Mar 2025
Amyloidosis
Ninja Nerds,Welcome to the Ninja Nerd Podcast with Zach and Rob! In this episode, we explore Amyloidosis, a complex disorder characterized by the misfolding and deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils in tissues. We break down the different subtypes, including AL (light chain), A ... Show More
30m 35s
May 7
Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces
Restoring a person’s ability to speak, enabling individuals with paralysis to regain movement, and detecting neurodegenerative diseases earlier than ever — these are just some of the breakthroughs brain-computer interfaces are making possible. In this episode, we explore the asto ... Show More
51m 37s
Mar 2018
Everyday Neuro 001: An Introduction to the Human Brain
In this episode, I introduce you to the human brain and discuss the global structure of the central nervous system, cognitive functions such as memory and attention, and the neuron at the microscopic level. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m ... Show More
17m 17s
Mar 2023
How Trauma Lives in the Body and Why You Should Heal It in Your Nervous System
If you haven’t begun a journey to heal your nervous system, this episode of Trauma Rewired will convince you why NOW is the time to start. In this episode, we’re sharing clips from season 2 that explain how trauma lives in the body and why you should heal it. By gaining a deeper ... Show More
48m 14s
May 2023
Episode 57 - Infections of the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System
An overview of some common and important infections of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. With Drs. Aaron Bower, Harry Sutherland and Jeremy Moeller. Note: This podcast is intended solely as an educational tool for learners, especially neurology residents. The content ... Show More
51m 14s
Feb 2025
Dr Andrew Huberman: The One Daily Practice Everyone Should Do, Training Your Brain and Reducing Anxiety (re-release) #524
CAUTION: Contains themes of an adult nature. If I told you there was a simple, free habit you could take up to optimise your health in just five to 10 minutes a day, would you be up for trying it? If the answer’s yes, then you’re going to love today’s guest, a brilliant science c ... Show More
1h 57m
Mar 2025
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Ninja Nerds, Welcome to the Ninja Nerd Podcast with Zach and Rob! In this episode, we explore Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a group of hematologic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We also discuss the ... Show More
26m 35s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami