Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

47.7K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
47.7K
Spinal Cord01:26

Spinal Cord

1.6K
The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.
1.6K
The Spinal Cord01:54

The Spinal Cord

31.6K
The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
31.6K
Spinal Cord: Information Processing01:10

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

3.3K
The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
3.3K
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

5.4K
The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
5.4K
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

31.5K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
31.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Whole-genome duplication shaped cell-type evolution in the vertebrate brain.

Nature·2026
Same author

Evolutionary origin of the chordate nervous system revealed by amphioxus developmental trajectories.

Nature ecology & evolution·2024
Same author

A microfluidic chip for immobilization and imaging of Ciona intestinalis larvae.

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution·2024
Same author

Hmx gene conservation identifies the origin of vertebrate cranial ganglia.

Nature·2022
Same author

Step-wise evolution of neural patterning by Hedgehog signalling in chordates.

Nature ecology & evolution·2020
Same author

A Notch-regulated proliferative stem cell zone in the developing spinal cord is an ancestral vertebrate trait.

Development (Cambridge, England)·2018
Same journal

Multi-stage transcriptome analysis reveals genetic orchestration of rat testis development.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
Same journal

Three-dimensional observation of the muscle-tendon integration process in mouse embryos.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
Same journal

Goofy/123Cre lineage tracing differentiates olfactory and vomeronasal neurons from GnRH-1 and terminal nerve neurons during neuronal migration and reveals additional olfactory placode-derived cells in the brain.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
Same journal

Prenatal sexual dimorphism in human pelvic tilt at the onset of fetal ossification.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
Same journal

Meet the editorial team. An interview with Ralph Marcucio, Assistant Editor, University of California San Francisco, United States.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
Same journal

Editorial highlights.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 22, 2026

A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
09:24

A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: January 5, 2015

18.3K

Evolution of vertebrate spinal cord patterning.

Brigid Leung1, Sebastian M Shimeld1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Developmental Dynamics : an Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists
|July 11, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spinal cord development in vertebrates relies on signaling pathways patterning anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral, and medial-lateral axes. Understanding these conserved and novel genetic mechanisms reveals vertebrate evolutionary innovations.

Keywords:
BMPFGFNotchRAShhWntamphioxusdeltalampreymorphogenneural

More Related Videos

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats
06:40

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats

Published on: January 16, 2019

8.5K
Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
08:57

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Published on: April 4, 2012

24.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 22, 2026

A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
09:24

A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: January 5, 2015

18.3K
Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats
06:40

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats

Published on: January 16, 2019

8.5K
Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
08:57

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Published on: April 4, 2012

24.3K

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Vertebrate spinal cord development involves patterning along anterior-posterior (AP), dorsal-ventral (DV), and medial-lateral (ML) axes.
  • Canonical intercellular signaling pathways, including Wnt, FGF, RA, Hedgehog, Tgfβ, and Notch, regulate this patterning.
  • Developmental timing and interactions between signaling pathways are crucial for cell positioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying spinal cord organization.
  • To compare gene and mechanism evolution in vertebrates with related chordate lineages (amphioxus, tunicates) and basal vertebrates (lampreys).
  • To identify vertebrate-specific innovations in signaling pathways and gene regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics and developmental biology approaches.
  • Analysis of conserved genes and signaling pathways across different chordate lineages.
  • Identification of gene duplications and novel regulatory connections.

Main Results:

  • Signaling pathways (Wnt, FGF, RA, Hedgehog, Tgfβ, Notch) pattern the three axes of the spinal cord.
  • Interactions between signaling pathways and transcriptional targets create complex cellular organization.
  • Comparison with lampreys and other chordates highlights conserved mechanisms and vertebrate innovations.

Conclusions:

  • Spinal cord patterning is a complex process involving multiple interacting signaling pathways.
  • Studying basal chordates and vertebrates provides insights into the evolution of vertebrate-specific traits.
  • Gene duplications and altered regulatory networks are key to the evolution of vertebrate morphology and development.