Relating to the formation or shaping of an embryo during early development.
From embryo (from Greek embryon, 'fetus') + plastic (from Greek plastikos, 'capable of being molded'). The term emerged in 19th-century embryology to describe processes that literally 'mold' developing organisms.
This word captures the incredible fact that your body's basic shape is determined in the first few weeks after conception—tissues are being sculpted and folded like clay by chemical signals and physical forces we're only beginning to understand.
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