A cartilaginous rod of mesodermal cells at the dorsal midline of all CHORDATE embryos. In lower vertebrates, notochord is the backbone of support. In the higher vertebrates, notochord is a transient structure, and segments of the vertebral column will develop around it. Notochord is also a source of midline signals that pattern surrounding tissues including the NEURAL TUBE development.

DUI

D009672 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0015016

Previous indexing

Chick Embryo (1966-1978); Embryo (1966-1978)

History note

91(79); was see under EMBRYO 1979-90

Public note

91; was see under EMBRYO 1979-90