neurulation

Neurulation is the early developmental process where the flat sheet of cells called the neural plate folds to form the neural tube, which later becomes the brain and spinal cord. During this process, the edges of the neural plate rise and meet at the midline, sealing together to create a hollow tube. Proper neurulation is essential for normal nervous system development; if it doesn't occur correctly, it can lead to birth defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly. This process typically happens within the first few weeks after conception and is tightly regulated by genetic and environmental factors.