Development of the human oculomotor nuclear complex: Centrally-projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus

•This study described the morphology of human EWcp during 20–39 postmenstrual weeks.•A complex 3D figure of the EWcp with 2 or 3 parts is preserved after mid-gestation.•The volumes (total, dorsal part, ventral part) enlarged exponentially with age.•The ventral part expanded more rapidly in volume than the dorsal part.•The mean profile area of neurons increased linearly with age both in two parts.