North Atlantic Books

North Atlantic Books

English

"This book is unique amongst texts on human embryology...refreshing, stimulating and interesting to read." —Journal of Anatomy "This book provides revolutionary insights in the fields of anatomy and physiology; it enables an initial step in a rational interpretation of ‘how' our anatomy arises after fertilization. Just as the science of chemistry became a useful discipline only after mechanics had passed though centuries of maturation, this book demonstrates the importance of establishing a logical, consistent biomechanics of embryological development before attempting to comprehend its chemistry aka molecular biology. Developmental biochemistry can mature only when we have secure knowledge of the spatial and temporal aspects of growth, together with its biomechanics and biodynamics. This book helps us grasp the forces of living cells and tissues that are at work during normal development. "Based on the unique museum of three-dimensional reconstructions of human embryos at the University of Göttingen and key results from decades of publications in German, this reprint is core material for any English-reading person who wants a deeper understanding of embryology than what is provided in conventional textbooks. The nutshell at the end of the cover statement for the first edition (published in the American Lecture Series under the editorship of Professor A. R. Burdi) can hardly be bettered: ‘It is impossible to overrate the importance of this information to researchers, educators, students and practitioners in the field. The text offers nothing less than a total reassessment and revision of the accepted ideas of human differentiation and all the implications that such a revision entails.'"--Brian Freeman, PhD, Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales