Pontine flexure

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The pontine flexure is a bend in the axis of the embryological central nervous system (the neuraxis). This flexure marks the junction between the metencephalon and the myelencephalon. The division of the rhombencephalon (the early hindbrain) into the metencephalon and the myelencephalon occurs at the 7th week of development. In the mature brain, the metencephalon forms the pons and cerebellum, whilst the myelencephalon forms the medulla oblongata.[1]

[edit] Other Flexures

The cephalic flexure (also known as the midbrain flexure) bends the neuraxis at the junction of the midbrain and hindbrain. This flexure develops by the 5th week of gestation.

The cervical flexure bends the neuraxis between the brain and the spinal cord. It also develops by the 5th week of gestation.

[edit] See Also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Color Text. 3rd Edition. Crossman & Neary. Published by Elsevier.
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