part of ends during starts during neuroectoderm neural plate UBERON:0003075 xenopus_anatomy XAO:0000249 A region of embryonic ectodermal cells that lie directly above the notochord. During neurulation, they change shape and produce an infolding of the neural plate (the neural fold) that then seals to form the neural tube. At NF stage 11.5 is the first indication of neural plate within the sensorial layer of ectoderm. It extends to near the animal pole by NF stage 12.5 and the entire plate is faintly delimited by NF stage 13. tissue NF stage 11.5 NF stage 22