Embryology of the Central Nervous System

Abstract

A basic understanding of the embryology of the central nervous system is necessary to appreciate the dysmorphology of congenital malformations of the brain and attendant neurologic dysfunction. The number of neurons at birth is 100 billion. Since there is little increase in that number after birth, the rate of neuron production can be estimated at 250,000/min. The glial cells number about one trillion. Because the brain must pass through several critical processes during its development, its liability to morphologic alteration and physiologic dysfunction is high.