neural tube

noun

|Updated on: 2 May 2018

Definition of neural tube

: the hollow longitudinal dorsal tube formed by infolding and subsequent fusion of the opposite ectodermal folds in the vertebrate embryo that gives rise to the brain and spinal cord

Recent Examples of neural tube from the Web

Elbabaa specializes in repairing spina bifida, a neural tube defect that can damage the baby’s spinal cord, affecting about 1,500 babies each year.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Health opens fetal surgery program," 18 Apr. 2018
Pregnant women who don’t get enough folate are at risk of having a baby with neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

— darlene zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, "Healthy Table: Load up on asparagus for its healthy dose of folate and antioxidants," 15 Apr. 2018
Prenatal vitamins became universal when folic acid deficiency was linked to neural tube defects in babies.

— dr. megan kasper, idahostatesman, "My fellow women: I have a question for you | Idaho Statesman," 23 Mar. 2018
Based on epidemiological data, this nutrient helps prevent defects in an embryo’s neural tube, the precursor for the brain and spinal cord.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Supplements are a $30 billion racket—here’s what experts actually recommend," 20 Feb. 2018
Most prenatal vitamins help cover the 400 micrograms the CDC recommends to help prevent neural tube defects.

— korin miller, SELF, "Chrissy Teigen Says Her Baby Is 'Sucking the Life' From Her," 6 Feb. 2018
An additional 581 had neural tube defects, 262 had eye abnormalities and 662 had some other form of central nervous system dysfunction.

— daniel chang, miamiherald, "More birth defects seen in states with local Zika spread | Miami Herald," 25 Jan. 2018
About half of those infants were born with microcephaly or brain abnormalities, 20% were born with neural tube defects or other early brain issues, 22% had nervous system damage and 9% had eye problems.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "Zika Linked to a Spike in Birth Defects In the U.S.," 25 Jan. 2018
Christina Hanson, 27, who has spina bifida, a neural tube defect, and uses a wheelchair, was one of the people reported missing.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "California wildfires: 23 dead in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Yuba counties," 12 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neural tube.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of neural tube

1888

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

neural tube

noun

medical Definition of neural tube

: the hollow longitudinal dorsal tube that is formed by infolding and subsequent fusion of the opposite ectodermal folds in the vertebrate embryo and gives rise to the brain and spinal cord