Journey of the notochord: linking embryology to radiologic interpretation of the craniocervical junction

The notochord is a mesoderm-derived cylindrical midline structure and a defining feature found in all chordates. In vertebrates, the notochordal process represents the initial embryologic axial skeleton and plays important structural and signaling roles in the development of the vertebral column, nervous system, and skull base. Besides persisting postnatally as the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disks, the remaining notochord typically regresses during fetal development after completion of its principal tasks.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research