The neural tube closes as the paired neural folds are brought together at the dorsal midline. In some species, the cells at this junction form the neural crest cells. In birds, the neural crest cells do not migrate from the dorsal region of the neural tube until after it has been closed, while in mammals, the cranial crest cells migrate while the neural folds are still elevated, and the spinal region neural crest cells do not migrate until closure has occurred.