2009 Lecture 1

A Course Introduction

Anatomical image of late pregnancy by Wilhelm Braune (1831-1892): Topographisch-anatomischer Atlas : nach Durchschnitten an gefrornen Cadavern, Leipzig: Verlag von Veit & Comp., 1867-1872. (Topographic-anatomical Atlas) Wilhelm Braune (1831-1892)

This first lecture will introduce the course and the subject of Embryology.

Firstly, an introduction to the course, its content and assessment and an opportunity to ask questions.

Secondly, some historic background to the subject and related current Australian trends.

ANAT2341 Course 2009

Links: Course Homepage | UNSW Embryology

History

Long Ago

• Arabian Medicine
• Mediaeval
• The Great Anatomists
• Philosopher-Scientists
• 16-17C Medicine
• A series of Anatomies from Early History 1600-1700.
• Harvey
• Leeuwenhoek
• 18C Anatomy and Physiology

19th Century

• 1880 - image excerpts from a historic study of German embryologist Wilhelm His (1831-1904) Anatomie menschlicher Embryonen (1880).
• Leydig cells named after german zoologist Franz von Leydig (1821 - 1908). (Franz von Leydig
• Evolution Theories | Evolution Darwin
• 1824 - Rolando cut chemically hardened (fixed) pieces of brain tissues into thin sections for microscopical examination
• 1889 - Camille Golgi discovered a method of silver staining hardened brain tissues Brain and Mind Brain Structure

Early 20th Century

• 1914 - image excerpts from a historic study of The Anatomy of a 17.8 mm Human Embryo by Thyng, FW 1914,
• 1918 - links to images from Anatomy of the Human Body by Gray, W 1918
• 1935 - Hans Spemann's 1935 nobel speech.

Development in the early 20th century can also be seen in some Historic Movies 1920-1960.

Late 20th Century

Much of the modern history of Medicine/Embryology is documented in the Prizes for Medicine. Some key women in development 1953 Virginia Apgar and 1965 Le Douarin.

• 1953 - [../Child/apgar.htm Virginia Apgar] Apgar Test.
• 1965 - Neural Crest Research Nicole Le Douarin.
• 1978 - First IVF baby born

21st Century

2000 - Human Genome Draft

2001 talk given by Robert Winston "Engineering Reproduction: Will We Still Be Human At The End of the 21st Century".

2000 - Human Genome Complete

Australian Developmental Abnormalities

Ten most frequently reported birth defects in Victoria between 2003-2004 (More? Australian Statistics - Victoria)

1. Hypospadias (More? Genital Abnormalities - Hypospadia)
2. Obstructive Defects of the Renal Pelvis (More? Urogenital Abnormalities)
3. Ventricular Septal Defect (More? Cardiovascular Abnormalities - Ventricular Septal Defect)
4. Congenital Dislocated Hip (More? Musculoskelal Abnormalities - Congenital Dislocation of the Hip (CDH))
5. Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome - (More? Abnormal Development - Trisomy 21)
6. Hydrocephalus (More? Neural Abnormalities - Hydrocephalus)
7. Cleft Palate (More? Head Abnormalities)
8. Trisomy 18 or Edward Syndrome - multiple abnormalities of the heart, diaphragm, lungs, kidneys, ureters and palate 86% discontinued (More? Abnormal Development - Trisomy 18)
9. Renal Agenesis/Dysgenesis - reduction in neonatal death and stillbirth since 1993 may be due to the more severe cases being identified in utero and being represented amongst the increased proportion of terminations (approximately 31%). (More? Kidney Abnormalities - Renal Agenesis)
10. Cleft Lip and Palate - occur with another defect in 33.7% of cases. (More? Head Abnormalities)

Links: Historical Embryology | The History of Childbirth | Classic Papers in Neonatal Medicine | Australian Data

UNSW Embryology Links

• Lecture 1 2008
• Historical Embryology
• detailed History
• Australian Data

Next Lecture

Lecture 2 | Course Timetable

Dr Mark Hill, 2009 UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G