Interview with Larry R. Cochard, PhD and Angelique N. Dueñas

How has your Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology, 2nd Edition evolved since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?

Embryology is a very visual subject, and the first and updated editions focused on using Dr. Netter’s renowned artwork to compare developmental processes with anatomical relationships seen in adults. Other useful features included terminology sections at the end of each chapter and an appendix of the embryonic basis of major anomalies at the end of the book. This second edition is an opportunity to make the content more inclusive with the addition of new, Netter-style artwork that has more representation of sexual variation, and a wider range of skin color and ethnicity. The edition is also an opportunity to make the content more clinically relevant, to add embryonic variations, and to improve clarity in presenting some difficult topics. 

What is the most exciting aspect of the Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology, 2nd Edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about? 

The most notable and welcome aspect of the new edition is the new, inclusive artwork throughout the book plus content on bias in many chapters. My coauthor, Dr. Angelique Duenas, was instrumental in helping with this aspect of the new addition. I was also happy that we could add clinical boxes, new content on sex determination and identity, plus more embryonic anomalies such as exstrophy of the bladder and allantois, holoprosencephaly, and musculoskeletal variations. My favorite new topic is early detection of pregnancy. It was an opportunity to add ultrasound imaging, address ectopic pregnancy in a new perspective, and to have readers review the major features of the early embryo in the context of timeframe, relative size, and relationship to the uterus.

It is also so exciting to see an atlas that makes attempts to improve inclusivity when it comes to not just visual representation, but also promoting reflection of such topics and how they have historically been presented. This overarching approach makes it hard to pick just one chapter or topic to be excited about!

Who will find the greatest value from Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology, 2nd Edition and why? Has the audience changed since the book first published?

The book has always been directed at beginning students of embryology and for review by more advanced students. The atlas format is succinct, but addresses all the important structures, concepts, and processes in the embryo and fetus.

With the additional sections about ‘Inclusion and Bias’, as well as the numerous pieces of new and edited art focused on diversity and representation, I think this book also makes a fantastic resource for educators. More diverse representation of anatomy and embryology images is a goal that many educators have, but it can be very challenging to find high quality images that offer such diversity. This atlas offers a fantastic plethora of visual resources!

What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the new edition? 

As noted in previous responses, the ability to include the ‘Inclusion and Bias Consideration’ sections at the start of numerous chapters is a wonderful new addition to the edition. Many of these are not necessarily new ‘ideas’ or ‘practices’ but have historically not always been considered commonplace in embryology education. I think these changes reflect more recent considerations in health professions (education) as they relate to topics such health inequities, or the systematic differences that various groups may have in their ability to achieve optimal health outcomes.

What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve? 

Not a ‘specialty’ per se, but internationally, there is a shortage of anatomy educators! I hope future generations will still find a way to our discipline (whatever that path may look like) and continue to share the love and knowledge of our field.

Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say? 

It has been a pleasure working on this new edition with Angelique. I feel the combination of new features is significant and will make the book more useful and relevant.

And it has been a pleasure working with Larry! I truly feel so fortunate to have contributed to this book at this stage in my career. If even one person feels more included or receives better care because of the images or content in our book, that would be a dream come true!

About the Authors

Larry Cochard, is a recently retired associate professor of medical education at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. With a PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, He has always had a passion for morphology, and he has had the pleasure of teaching human anatomy, embryology, and histology at Northwestern for 41 years. He also have a passion for developing educational resources, and he was honored to be offered authorship of Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology in 2001, followed by lead authorship of Netter’s Atlas of Radiologic Anatomy in 2012 along with an updated edition of the embryology book.

Angelique Dueñas, is an assistant professor of medical education at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Her PhD is in medical sciences from the Hull York Medical School (in the United Kingdom). More specifically, her doctoral work centered on medical and anatomy education, with particular emphasis on understanding and improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within these disciplines. Her interest in anatomy (and the joy of teaching embryology) started when she received her Master’s degree in Modern Human Anatomy from the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus.

Purchase your copy of Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology, 2nd Edition here!