Meaning & use
neural tube
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablebiology
The hollow structure in an early embryo that folds from a flat sheet and later develops into the brain and spinal cord.
Grammar: Usually with the: the neural tube closes early in pregnancy.
Patterns
- the neural tube closes
- neural tube development
The neural tube closes during the first month of pregnancy.
Folic acid helps the neural tube form properly.
Scientists studied the neural tube in chicken embryos to understand spinal development.
Word forms
| plural | neural tubes |
|---|
Common combinations
- neural tube defect
- A neural tube defect can affect how the spine forms.
- neural tube closure
- Neural tube closure is complete by about the sixth week.
- form the neural tube
- Cells fold together to form the neural tube.
- neural tube development
- Normal neural tube development needs enough folate.
- prevent neural tube defects
- Folic acid supplements help prevent neural tube defects.
Word family
Commonly confused: neural tube or neutral?
neural tube vs neutral
Neutral means taking no side or having no strong quality. It is easy to misread for neural, which relates to nerves.
Practice
What does the neural tube become as an embryo develops?
Choose one answer.
The neural tube forms the central nervous system, meaning the brain and spinal cord. The other options develop from different tissues.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neural tube”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.