Alar plate

The alar plate (or alar lamina) is a neural structure in the embryonic nervous system, part of the dorsal side of the neural tube, that involves the communication of general somatic and general visceral sensory impulses. The caudal part later becomes the sensory axon part of the spinal cord.

The alar plate specifically later on becomes the dorsal gray of the spinal cord, and also develops into the sensory nuclei of cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, IX, and X. The inferior olivary nucleus, mesencephalic nucleus of V, and main sensory nucleus of V are also developed from this plate. The cerebellum also develops from the alar plate, particularly from the rhombic lip. This is considered an exception to the general differentiation scheme from the alar plate, as the alar plate generally gives rise to sensory derivatives.