Skip to main content
Log in

The timing and sequence of events in the development of the human nervous system during the embryonic period proper

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A documented scheme of the early development of the human nervous system is presented. It is based on (I) reports of workers who personally studied staged embryos, and (2) personal observations and confirmations. The necessity of staged embryos in determining the precise sequence of developmental events is stressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bailey, P.: Morphology of the root plate of the forebrain and the lateral choroid plexuses in the human embryo. J. comp. Neurol. 26, 79–120 (1916).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartelmez, G. W., Blount, M. P.: The formation of neural crest from the primary optic vesicle in man. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 35, 55–71 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Dekaban, A. S.: The early development of the human brain. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 37, 13–32 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Evans, H. M.: Development of the human embryo during the period of somite formation including embryos with 2 to 16 pairs of somites. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 17, 1–67 (1926).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist, H.: Morphogenesis of diencephalic nucleic in Homo. With remarks on the mammalian diencephalon and on mesencephalic relations. Kungl. Fysiograf. Sällsk. Handl. 64, 1–38 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulder Committee: Embryonic vertebrate central nervous system: revised terminology. Anat. Rec. 166, 257–262 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyden, E. A.: A volumetric analysis of young human embryos of the 10- and 12-somite stage. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 28, 157–191 (1940).

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, M. J.: A study of the sacral autonomic nerves in a chick and a human embryo. Anat. Rec. 116, 189–203 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Campenhout, E. van: La contribution des placodes épiblastiques au développement des ganglions des nerfs crâniens chez l'embryon humain. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 49, 253–266 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • George, W. C.: A presomite human embryo with chorda canal and prochordal plate. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 30, 1–7 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. W.: The origin and development of the human extrinsic ocular muscles. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 36, 59–78 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuser, C. H.: A presomite human embryo with a definite chorda canal. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 23, 251–267 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Corner, G. W.: Developmental horizons in human embryos. Description of age group X, 4 to 12 somites. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 36, 29–39 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hines, M.: Studies in the growth and differentiation of the telencephalon in man. The fissura hippocampi. J. comp. Neurol. 34, 73–171 (1922).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochstetter, F.: Beiträge zur Entwicklungsgeschichte des menschlichen Gehirns. Vienna: Deuticke I. Teil 1919, II. Teil 1929.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, T.: The development of the human amygdala during early embryonic life. J. comp. Neurol. 132, 135–165 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingalls, N. W.: A human embryo at the beginning of segmentation, with special reference to the vascular system. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 11, 61–90 (1920).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, G. B.: Relative weight and volume of the component parts of the brain of the human embryo at different stages of development. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 13, 41–60 (1921).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kissel, P., Dureux, J.-B., Tridon, P.: Incidence des malformations du système nerveux au cours des malformations du sequelette cranio-facial, p. 159–203, in: G. Heuyer, M. Feld, and J. Gruner, Malformations congénitales du cerveau. Paris: Masson 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, W. H.: The cartilaginous skull of a human embryo twenty-one millimeters in length. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 9, 299–324 (1920).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig, E.: Über einen operativ gewonnenen menschlichen Embryo mit einem Ursegmente (Embryo Da 1). Morph. Jb 59, 41–104 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • McKay, D. G., Adams, E. C., Hertig, A. T., Danzieger, S.: Histochemical horizons in human embryos. I. Five millimeter embryo—Streeter horizon XIII. Anat. Rec. 122, 125–151 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • ———: Histochemical horizons in human embryos. II. 6 and 7 millimeter embryos—Streeter horizon XIV. Anat. Rec. 126, 433–463 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, T.: Histochemical studies on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in the early human embryos. I. Observations on two embryos in early somite stage, Streeter's horizon X. Arch. histol. jap. 16, 169–193 (1959a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Histochemical studies on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in early human embryos. II. Observations on an embryo with 13–14 somites. Arch. histol. jap. 18, 197–209 (1959b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Histochemical studies on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in early human embryos. III. Embryos in Streeter's horizon XII. Okajimas Folia anat. jap. 40, 765–793 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, G., Pineau, H.: Horizons de Streeter et âge embryonnaire. Bull. Ass. Anat. 47, 573–576 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: The early embryology of the otic vesicle in staged human embryos. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 11, 741–755 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The optic, vestibulocochlear, and terminal-vomeronasal neural crest in staged human embryos, p. 557–564. in: J. W. Rohen (editor), Second Symposium on Eye Structure. Stuttgart: Schattauer 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The early development of the eye in staged human embryos. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 38, 1–42 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The early development of the nasal pit in staged human embryos. Anat. Rec. 157, 380 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: The development of the epiphysis cerebri and the subcommissural complex in staged human embryos. Anat. Rec. 160, 488–489 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: The timing and sequence of events in human cardiogenesis. Acta anat. (Basel) (1970) (awaiting publication).

  • —: The prenatal development of the foot. In: N. J. Giannestras, Foot disorders. Medical and surgical management. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, sec. ed. 1971 (awaiting publication).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Gardner, E.: The initial appearance of ossification in staged human embryos. Anat. Rec. 151, 394 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, Gray, D. J.: The skeletal development of the hand. Clin. Orthop. 13, 42–51 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • ———: The skeletal development of the foot. Clin. Orthop. 16, 7–14 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Orts Llorca, F.: Über die Entwicklung der caudalen Spinalganglien. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 102, 462–480 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • Padget, D. H.: The development of the cranial arteries in the human embryo. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 32, 205–261 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The development of the cranial venous system in man, from the viewpoint of comparative anatomy. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 36, 79–140 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, A.: Die Frühentwicklung der menschlichen Wirbelsäule. II. Mitteilung. Die Entwicklung der Occipitalsegmente und der Halswirbelsäule. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 113, 66–104 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenquist, G. C.: A radioautographic study of labeled grafts in the chick blastoderm: development from primitive-streak stages to stage 12. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 37, 71–110 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi, F., Pescetto, G., Reale, E.: Enzymatic activities in human ontogenesis: first synoptic tables of histochemical research. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 5, 221–235 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Reale, E.: The somite of human development studied with the histochemical reaction for the demonstration of alkaline glycerophosphatase. Acta anat. (Basel) 30, 656–681 (1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, F. C.: Mitosis in the neural tube. J. comp. Neurol. 62, 377–405 (1935a)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The cellular structure of the neural tube. J. comp. Neurol. 63, 13–23 (1935b)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The interkinetic migration of embryonic epithelial nuclei. J. Morph. 60, 1–11 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sensenig, E. C.: The early development of the human vertebral column. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 33, 21–41 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The early development of the meninges of the spinal cord in human embryos. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 34, 145–157 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The development of the occipital and cervical segments and their associated structures in human embryos. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 36, 141–151 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, H.: Beiträge zur Kenntnis des vorderen Neuroporus beim Menschen. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 82, 747–780 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeter, G. L.: The developmental alterations in the vascular system of the brain of the human embryo. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 8, 5–38 (1918).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Archetypes and symbolism. Science 65, 405–412 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Developmental horizons in human embryos. Description of age group XI, 13 to 20 somites, and age group XII, 21 to 29 somites. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 30, 211–245 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Developmental horizons in human embryos. Description of age group XIII, embryos about 4 or 5 millimeters long, and age group XIV, period of indentation of the lens vesicle. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 31, 27–63 (1945).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Developmental horizons in human embryos. Description of age groups XV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII, being the third issue of a survey of the Carnegie Collection. Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 32, 133–203 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Streiter, A.: Ein menschlicher Keimling mit 7 Urwirbelpaaren (Keimling Ludwig) Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 57, 181–248 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Theiler, K.: Studien zur Entwicklung der Ganglienleiste. II. Teil. Befunde zur Frühentwicklung der Ganglienleiste beim Menschen. Acta anat. (Basel) 8, 96–112 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tridon, P.: Les dysraphies de l'axe nerveux et de ses enveloppes cranio-rachidiennes. Étude critique du status dysraphicus. Paris: Doin 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Thiriet, M.: Malformations associées de la tête et des extremités. Paris: Masson 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volcher, R.: Le système nerveux périphérique d'un embryon humain de 8 mm. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 74, 95–127 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen, I. C.: The anatomy of human embryos with seventeen to twenty-three pairs of somites. J. comp. Neurol. 45, 301–376 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • Windle, W. F.: Development of neural elements in human embryos of four to seven weeks gestation. Exp. Neurol. Suppl. 5, 44–84 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokoh, Y.: The early development of the nervous system in man. Acta anat. (Basel) 71, 492–518 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Supported in part by National Institutes of Health (U.S.A.) General Research Support Grant, School of Medicine, Wayne State University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

O'Rahilly, R., Gardner, E. The timing and sequence of events in the development of the human nervous system during the embryonic period proper. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 134, 1–12 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00523284

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00523284

Key-Words

Navigation