The Notochord

The notochord (Fig. 90019) consists of a rod of cells situated on the ventral aspect of the neural tube; it constitutes the foundation of the axial skeleton, since around it the segments of the vertebral column are formed. Its appearance synchronizes with that of the neural tube. On the ventral aspect of the neural groove an axial thickening of the entoderm takes place; this thickening assumes the appearance of a furrow—the chordal furrow—the margins of which come into contact, and so convert it into a solid rod of cells—the notochord—which is then separated from the entoderm. It extends throughout the entire length of the future vertebral column, and reaches as far as the anterior end of the mid-brain, where it ends in a hook-like extremity in the region of the future dorsum sellæ of the sphenoid bone. It lies at first between the neural tube and the entoderm of the yolk-sac, but soon becomes separated from them by the mesoderm, which grows medial-ward and surrounds it. From the mesoderm surrounding the neural tube and notochord, the skull and vertebral column, and the membranes of the brain and medulla spinalis are developed.


Fig. 90019– Transverse section of a chick embryo of forty-five hours’ incubation. (Balfour.)
 

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 Gray's Anatomy
 
 1. Embriology
 
 2. Osteology
menuVertebral Column
menuSkull
menuCranial Bones
menuFacial Bones
menuExtremities
 
 3. Arthrology
menuTrunk Articulations
menuUpper Extremity Articulations
menuPelvis Articulations
menuLower Extremity Articulations
 
 4. Myology
menuMuscles of the Head
menuMuscles of the Trunk
menuMuscles of the Upper Extremity
menuMuscles of the Lower Extremity
 
 5. Angiology
menuThoracic Cavity
 
 6. The Arteries
menuArteries of the Head and Neck
menuArteries of the Upper Extremity
menuArteries of the Trunk
menuArteries of the Lower Extremity
 
 7. The Veins
menuSystemic Veins
 
 8. The Lymphatic System
 
 9. Neurology
menuBrain or Encephalon
menuCranial Nerves
menuSpinal Nerves
menuSympathetic Nerves
 
 10. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument
menuThe Peripheral Organs of the Special Senses
 
 11. Splanchnology
menuThe Respiratory Apparatus
menuThe Digestive Apparatus
menuThe Urogenital Apparatus
menuThe Ductless Glands
 
 12. Surface Anatomy and Surface Markings
 
menuMuscle Tables
 
 Quizzes
menu1. Introduction
menu2. Head & Face
menu3. Neck
menu4. Torso
menu5. Shoulder & Arm
menu6. Forearm, Wrist & Hand
menu7. Hip, Thigh & Knee
menu8. Leg, Ankle & Foot