neurula

noun, plural neu·ru·las, neu·ru·lae [noo r–uh-lee, -lahy, nyoo r-] /ˈnʊər əˌli, -ˌlaɪ, ˈnyʊər-/. Embryology.

1. an embryo in the stage of development in which part of the ectoderm is differentiated into neural tissue and in which the neural tube, which develops into the brain and spinal cord, is formed.

n. pl. neu•ru•lae (-lē′)

1. An early stage of embryonic development in which neurulation begins.