Different populations of neural crest cells along the body axis give rise to different derivatives. (a) A chick embryo at the end of neurulation, in which the neural tube is closed along most of the body axis. Neural crest cells that arise from cranial levels give rise to some derivatives that are distinct from those arising from trunk neural crest population. (b) Schematic diagram summarizing derivatives that arise at cranial versus trunk levels. Both populations contribute to pigment cells, sensory neurons, and glia. However, only cranial neural crest forms cartilage and bone, whereas sympathetic ganglia and the adrenal medulla come uniquely from the trunk neural crest.
