ɪnˈɪʃəli, ðə lˈɛft ænd ɹˈaɪt sˈaɪdz ʌvðə bˈeɪsəl plˈeɪt ɑːɹ kəntˈɪnjuːəs, bˌʌt dˈʊɹɹɪŋ nˌʊɹɹuːlˈeɪʃən ðeɪ bɪkˌʌm sˈɛpɚɹˌeɪɾᵻd baɪ ðə flˈoːɹ plˈeɪt, ænd ðɪs pɹˈɑːsɛs ɪz dᵻɹˈɛktᵻd baɪ ðə nˈɑːɾəkˌɔːɹd.
Initially, the left and right sides of the basal plate are continuous, but during neurulation they become separated by the floor plate, and this process is directed by the notochord.