neural crest

noun

: the ridge of one of the folds forming the neural tube that gives rise to the spinal ganglia and various structures of the autonomic nervous system

Examples of neural crest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Green genes What Feiner and her team discovered while analyzing the lizards’ genomes was that the features that make P. nigriventris stand out are determined by genes that regulate neural crest cells. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024 But because lampreys are jawless, scientists assumed their embryos did not have a neural crest and therefore did not develop sympathetic neurons. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2024 None of the neural crest throughout the body of mammals goes on to form bone. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 July 2023 Shortly after the developing nervous system closes off into a tube, the neural crest cells leave it behind. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 July 2023 Well, the neural crest is responsible for melanocytes (cells that bring pigmentation to skin or fur) as well as adrenal secretions—and as the number of neural crest cells goes down, both adrenal secretions and melanocytes are reduced in turn. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 27 Oct. 2020 The scientists observe that the affected features are influenced by or derive from neural crest cells, a specific class of stem cells. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2019 The various traits related to domestication that neural crest cells are thought to control. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2019 Instead, a population of cells called the neural crest migrates in from the developing nervous system and then converts to cartilage once in the arch. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 7 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neural crest was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near neural crest

Cite this Entry

“Neural crest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neural%20crest. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

neural crest

noun
: the ridge of one of the folds forming the neural tube that gives rise to the spinal ganglia and various structures of the autonomic nervous system

called also neural ridge

compare neural plate

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