
This series of three webinars will cover human embryology from the beginning through middle stages.
January 31, 2026
February 28, 2026
March 21, 2026
We will start with elements of reproductive biology as they inform later development. This will include formation of gametes, including interesting variants of egg maturation that affect structure.
To clarify some embryologic terms, we will also look at early stages of embryo development in a simpler organism, our cousins the sea urchins. The corresponding developmental stages in humans are more complex. To understand these stages it helps to know the essential meaning of embryologic stages and terms in their root form.
In addition to the development of the embryo, the discipline of embryology has also evolved. Some of these stages of development will be discussed. Some ideas from earlier times persist in the culture, and it is clarifying to understand how and why the discipline has moved forward. Current forefronts of study will be introduced.
The webinar is presented as a series of three one-hour long presentations. If there is sufficient interest additional webinars, continuing the story of human embryonic and fetal development will be offered in the near future.
The webinars will be recorded for those who are not able to attend the live presentations, and for review by all.
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