peripheral nervous system development

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the peripheral nervous system over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The peripheral nervous system is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. Nerves in the PNS connect the central nervous system (CNS) with sensory organs, other organs, muscles, blood vessels and glands. [GOC:go_curators, UBERON:0000010]

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) develops from the neural crest, a transient population of migratory cells that arises from the dorsal neural tube. Neural crest cells undergo extensive migration and differentiation to form a diverse array of PNS structures, including sensory neurons, motor neurons, autonomic neurons, Schwann cells, and glial cells.

**1. Neural Crest Formation and Migration:**
- During neurulation, the neural tube forms from the neural plate, and the neural crest cells arise at the dorsal border of the neural tube.
- These cells detach from the neural tube and migrate extensively throughout the embryo, following specific pathways guided by chemoattractants and chemorepellents.

**2. Specification and Differentiation:**
- As neural crest cells migrate, they are exposed to different signaling molecules that determine their fate.
- These signals trigger specific gene expression patterns that lead to the differentiation of neural crest cells into various PNS cell types.

**3. Sensory Neuron Development:**
- Sensory neurons arise from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and cranial sensory ganglia.
- These neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.
- DRG neurons develop from neural crest cells that migrate to specific locations along the developing spinal cord.

**4. Motor Neuron Development:**
- Motor neurons arise from the ventral horn of the spinal cord and from brainstem motor nuclei.
- They innervate muscles and are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the periphery.

**5. Autonomic Neuron Development:**
- Autonomic neurons regulate involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration.
- They arise from neural crest cells that migrate to specific regions, such as the sympathetic chain ganglia and the parasympathetic ganglia.

**6. Schwann Cell Development:**
- Schwann cells are glial cells that wrap around axons of peripheral neurons, forming a myelin sheath.
- Myelination increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission.
- Schwann cells develop from neural crest cells that migrate along the axons of peripheral neurons.

**7. Glial Cell Development:**
- Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons.
- In the PNS, glial cells include Schwann cells, satellite cells, and enteric glial cells.

**8. Axon Guidance and Target Innervation:**
- Developing neurons extend axons that navigate through the developing embryo to reach their correct target cells.
- Axon guidance is regulated by a complex interplay of attractive and repulsive cues, including growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and extracellular matrix components.

**9. Synapse Formation and Refinement:**
- Once axons reach their targets, they form synapses, specialized junctions where neurons communicate with each other or with target cells.
- Synapse formation and refinement involve a complex interplay of molecular signals and activity-dependent mechanisms.

**10. PNS Plasticity and Regeneration:**
- The PNS is more plastic than the central nervous system, meaning it can adapt and repair itself to some extent.
- For example, after injury, peripheral neurons can regenerate their axons and re-establish connections with their target cells.
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