History of the study of the neural crest (review)

The neural crest has long attracted the attention of evolutionary biologists and, more recently, clinical specialists, as research in recent decades significantly expanded boundaries knowledge about involvement and cells development human pathology. are a unique evolutionarily based embryonic structure. Its discovery completely changed view process embryogenesis. Knowledge sheds light on many most «established» questions developmental biology evolution. Our article will reflect historical stages study impact this entrenched ideas germ layer specificity theory layers – reasoning fourth layer. aim review is to describe history an analysis literature. In writing article, scientific literature was conducted using search terms «neural crest», cells», cell morphology», «germinal layers» «embryonic development» computer databases PubMed, Scopus, Web Science, eLibrary. depth analytical corresponds period first mention morphological structure information presented confirms high interest scientists specialists cells. formation somatic musculoskeletal pathologies received particular decades. sources represented by 169 full-text manuscripts monographs mainly English. Conclusions. Neural structures. Regularities formation, reasons which condition migration, differentiation, interaction with other structures during embryogenesis well their potential, realized postnatal period, continue be subject up now.