The central nervous system develops from the neural tube which forms early in development from the ectoderm. The retina forms from an outgrowth of the prosencephalon called the optic vesicle which invaginates to form the optic cup. The lens develops from surface ectoderm which thickens to form the lens placode and then invaginates to form the lens vesicle within the optic cup. The inner ear develops from the otic placode which forms the otic vesicle. Various structures of the middle and external ear derive from the pharyngeal arches including the malleus, incus and stapes.