The Neural Crest and Craniofacial Malformations

The neural crest is a temporary embryonic structure that is composed of a population of multipotent cells that delaminate from the ectoderm by epitheliomesenchymal transformation (Sect. 5.2). Neural crest derivatives contribute to a large number of structures, including the spinal, cranial and autonomic ganglia, the enteric nervous system, the medulla of the adrenal gland, the melanocytes, dermal cells, corneal cells and many of the skeletal and connective tissues of the head (Sect. 5.3). The whole facial and visceral skeleton and part of the neurocranium are formed from the neural crest (Sect. 5.4).