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Background Development of the foetal period of the meniscus has been reported in different studies. Aims Evaluation of lateral and medial meniscus development, typing and the relationship of the tibia during the foetal period. Study design Anatomical dissection. Methods We evaluated 210 knee menisci obtained from 105 human foetuses ranging in age from 9 to 40 weeks' gestation. Foetuses were divided into four groups, and the intra-articular structure was exposed. We subsequently acquired images (Samsung WB 100 26X Optical Zoom Wide, Beijing, China) of the intra-articular structures with the aid of a millimetric ruler. The images were digitized for morphometric analyses and analysed by using Netcad 5.1 Software (Ak Muhendislik, Ankara, Turkey). Results The lateral and medial meniscal areas as well as the lateral and the medial articular surface areas of the tibia increased throughout gestation. We found that the medial articular surface areas were larger than the lateral articular surface areas, and the difference was statistically significant. The ratios of the mean lateral and medial meniscal areas to the lateral and medial articular surface areas, respectively, of the tibia decreased gradually from the first trimester to full term. The most common shape of the medial meniscus was crescentic (50%), and that of the lateral meniscus was C-shaped (61%). Conclusion This study reveals the development of morphological changes and morphometric measurements of the menisci.

The present study's purpose was to determine the size and morphometric development of the female external genital organs on foetal cadavers. Dimensions of labia majora, labia minora and clitoris, bilabial diameter, vertical and horizontal diameters of hymenal opening, distance between the external urethral orifice and hymenal opening, distance between the clitoris and external urethral orifice and anogenital distance were measured. The hymenal types were determined. Mean values of parameters according to gestational weeks, months and trimesters were calculated. Imperforate hymen were determined in the first trimester. Twenty-eight foetuses with annular hymen, 25 foetuses with imperforate hymen, and 1 foetus with septated hymen were determined in the second trimester. Twenty-four foetuses with annular hymen, 3 foetuses with imperforate hymen, 1 foetus with fimbriated hymen, and 1 foetus with hymenal tag were determined in the third trimester. All foetuses in the full term were determined with annular hymen.

WOS: 000404595700040 Fetal period of time during which the fetus grows rapidly and the organs are formed. The prenatal and postnatal analyses of the fetal structure provide information as to fetal growth, growth retardation, gestational age and congenital malformations. The development of the skeletal system during the intrauterine period takes place in an orderly manner as it also does in other systems. It was aimed that the morphometric development of the forearm in human fetuses during the period between 20-40 gestational weeks be radiologically investigated and that its clinical importance be evaluated, as well. A total of 100 fetal forearms (50 fetuses: 23 male, 27 female), the ages of which varied between 20-40 gestational weeks, without having any external pathology or anomaly were incorporated into the study. The fetuses were separated into groups according to weeks, trimesters and months. After the general external measurements of the fetuses had been performed, the mammographies and forearm radiographies of the fetuses were shot in the way that the forearms would remain in a prone position. Morphometric measurements pertaining to forearm structures were taken from the forearm radiographies that were shot with the help of a digital compass. Later on, the morphometric measurements in question were statistically evaluated. The mean values and the standard deviations of the measured parameters were determined according to gestational weeks, trimesters and months. There was a significant correlation between the measured parameters and the gestational age (p0.05). As for the results obtained in our study, we are of the opinion that the data obtained during this study period will be beneficial for the involved clinicians, such as those in charge of gynecology, radiology, forensic medicine and perinatology, in terms of evaluating the clinical studies related to the morphometric development of the forearm throughout the fetal period, in determining the fetal age and sex, and also in determining the pathologies and variations regarding the development of fetal skeletal system.

The present study’s purpose was to examine the size and location of the thyroid gland using anatomic dissection methods on fetal cadavers. This study was performed on 200 spontaneously aborted human fetuses (100 males and 100 females) aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation. Fetuses without any external and internal pathology or anomaly were included in this study. Fetuses were divided into four groups based on gestational ages as follows: first group 9–12 weeks (first trimester), second group 13–25 weeks (second trimester), third group 26–37 weeks (third trimester) and fourth group 38–40 weeks (full term). The fetuses were also grouped into monthly cohorts as follows: 9–12 weeks, 3rd month; 13–16 weeks, 4th month; 17–20 weeks, 5th month; 21–24 weeks, 6th month; 25–28 weeks, 7th month; 29–32 weeks, 8th month; 33–36 weeks, 9th month; and 37–40 weeks, 10th month. The anterior necks of fetuses were dissected and the thyroid glands exposed. Vertebral and laryngeal levels and the dimensions (width, length, thickness and weight) of the fetal thyroid glands were determined by anatomical dissection methods. The dimensions and ratios of the fetal thyroid gland (weight/fetal body weight) were evaluated. The mean values and standard deviations of all parameters by gestational weeks, months, and trimesters were calculated. It was found that all parameters increased with gestational age. No significant differences were observed between genders in all parameters (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the right and the left sides for parameters of the thyroid glands. The levels of the superior poles of the thyroid lobes were located at the cervical (C) C1–C3 vertebral bodies. The levels of the inferior poles of the thyroid lobes were located at C4–C5 vertebral bodies. The levels of the superior poles of thyroid lobes were located between the upper ½ and lower ½ of the thyroid cartilage or cricoid cartilage. The levels of the inferior poles of the thyroid lobes were located between the second and sixth tracheal rings. The distance between the superior poles of the thyroid gland and the hyoid bone increased throughout the fetal period. The dimensions of fetal thyroid glands increased with gestational age. The ratio between thyroid gland weights and fetal body weights was unchanged during the fetal period. We believe that the results obtained from this study will be useful in monitoring thyroid glands in the intrauterine period as well as recognizing early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid anomalies. It will also contribute to future studies in obstetrics, perinatology, and fetopathology.

It was aimed in this study that the morphometric development of the hand in human fetuses throughout the fetal period be radiologically investigated and the clinical importance of this period be evaluated. A total of 50 fetuses with no external pathology or anomaly, and the ages of which varied between 20-40 gestational weeks were incorporated into the study. The fetuses were separated into groups according to gestational weeks, trimesters and months. After the general external measurements of the fetuses were performed, mammography and hand radiographies of the fetuses were shot in the way that their hands would be in a pronational position. Afterwards, the morphometric measurements of the hands were performed with the help of a digital caliper through the hand radiographies that were shot. The averages and standard deviations of the measured parameters were determined according to gestational weeks, trimesters and months. There was a significant correlation between the measured parameters and the gestational age (p

This study was aimed to determine the location and development of the spleen in the human fetuses.The study was carried on 141 dead human fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks with no marked pathology and anomaly in the years 2002-2003. The location of spleen with the neighboring structures, the existence of accessory spleens, notches on the borders, fissures on the surfaces, major ligaments and the shape of spleen and its hilum were established. The spleen was completely observed intraperitoneally (except at the hilum), in the left hypochondrium throughout the fetal period. The length, width, thickness, weight, volume, and the hilum dimensions of spleen were measured.The dimensions, weight, and volume of the spleen were increased with the gestational age, and positive significant correlations were determined (P0.001). There was no difference between sexes in all parameters (P0.05). The length of the spleen has ranged between 3.1 and 35.6 mm, between 9 weeks old and 40-week-old fetuses, respectively. One or more accessory spleens have been found in 14% of cases.The measurements and location of the spleen according to the gestational age were determined by the present study. The expression of morphometric parameters of the spleen at different gestational ages can be used in determination of pathologies of the spleen and may also contribute to future studies on this issue.

The aim of the present study was to determine the dimensions of the mandible during the fetal period, the relationship between the growth rates of the angle of the mandible and the dimensions of the mandible. Furthermore the angle of union of the two halves of the body of the mandible on the horizontal mandibular plane, which was not described elsewhere, is explored in this study. One hundred and sixty-one human fetuses (83 males and 78 females) without any cranio-facial or mandibular asymmetry, external pathology or anomaly and aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation were used in the study. Cases were stratified into four groups according to their developmental ages, that is, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and term fetuses. Cranio-facial parameters in addition to bi-condylar, bi-gonial, bi-mental tubercular, condyle-gonion, gonion-mental tubercle, condyle-mental tubercle, gonion-pogonion distances were measured. The degree of the angle of the mandible, angle of union of the two halves of the body of the mandible and sagittal length of the base of the mandible were calculated. The means of the parameters with respect to gestational weeks and groups were computed. While there were no sex differences in any of the parameters (P > 0.05) there were very significant relationships between gestational age and parameters (P < 0.001). The mean degree of the angle of the mandible during the fetal period was 122 +/- 8 degrees. The mean a angle of the base of the mandible was 65 +/- 8 degrees. None of these angles varied significantly throughout the fetal period. Height of the ramus of the mandible increased more than the length of the body of the mandible and bi-gonial distance in the first and second trimesters while in the third trimester and term period they increased at the same rate. Comparisons of groups for the ratio of the transverse to the sagittal lengths of the mandible revealed significant differences between first and second trimesters with term group (P < 0.05). Accordingly, bi-gonial distance of the mandible increased more during the third trimester and term time than the first and second trimesters, compared with the sagittal length of the mandible. The morphometric features and architectural changes observed in the mandible do not totally occur during the fetal period but continue later in childhood and adulthood.

Objective: To determine the development and the localization of the ovaries during the fetal period. Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty-four ovaries obtained from 77 human fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation were used in this study. Firstly, the shapes and the positions of the ovaries were established. Second, the localization of the ovaries with respect to linea terminalis, ureters, and the iliac arteries were determined. Finally, the dimensions and the weight of the ovaries were measured. Findings: In the fetal period, the ovaries were most commonly almond shaped and had an oblique orientation. In the 1st trimester the midpoint of the long axis of the fetal ovaries were at the level of linea terminalis. In the 2nd and 3rd trimester and full-term fetuses, it was observed that the ovaries were not in ovarian fossa, suggesting that descensus ovary was in progression during these times. During the intrauterine period, the ovaries were most commonly located anterior to the ureters and over the common iliac artery, only to migrate to its final location between the internal and external iliac arteries towards the end of the 40th week. Conclusion: We found that the ovaries did not assume the position of the adults at the end of the fetal period, rather continued its descent after the birth. We believe our findings about the fetal ovaries will be useful in obstetrics, fetal pathology, and forensic pathology.

Objective To determine the size and position of the fetal testes during gestation. Materials and methods The study comprised 48 testes obtained from 24 human fetuses with no congenital abnormalities, aged 14–40 weeks. The development of the fetuses was evaluated by measuring the crown-rump length. Testicular size was assessed as the height, width, thickness and weight, and the position of testes determined during fetal development. Results The testes in 11 fetuses (22 testes) aged 14–37 weeks were in the abdominal cavity; no testis had descended to the scrotum in any fetus until 27 weeks of gestation. Both testes had descended to the scrotum only in fetuses aged 33–40 weeks. There was no significant difference between right and left testicular size in 13 fetuses (26 testes) aged 27–40 weeks, but size correlated with gestational age (P

Prenatal analysis of the fetal structures gives us information about fetal growth and gestational age. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphologic structure of the upper and lower extremities of Turkish fetuses during the fetal period, to measure the morphometric values, and to determine the relationship between CRL (crown-rump length) and growth of the foot. In this study, 106 human fetuses (56 males, 50 females) without external anomalies and aged between 10-40 post-menstrual weeks (PMW) were studied. In the upper extremity, the width of shoulder and the length of the arms, forearms and hands were measured. In the lower extremity, the width of the iliac crest, knee condyles, feet, and heels and the length of the thighs, legs and feet were measured. A significant correlation was found between all parameters taken within the fetal period and PMW (p < 0.001). Statistically significant correlations found between foot-growth measurements and fetal parameters indicate that foot length may be a good predictor of age. The measurements of the upper and lower extremities during fetal period are a reliable parameter for use in the assessment of gestational age. These measurements are particularly useful when other parameters do not accurately predict gestational age in some cases such as hydrocephalus, anencephaly, short-limb dysplasia. Our opinion is that the measurements can be useful to assess gestational age in several fields such as anatomy, pathologic anatomy (fetopathology), forensic medicine, medical imaging, obstetrics and pediatrics.

The present study's purpose was to examine the morphometric development of the suprarenal gland using anatomic dissection methods during the fetal period.This study was performed on 172 human fetuses (76 males and 96 females) and 344 fetal suprarenal glands obtained from ages 9-40 weeks of gestation with no external pathology or anomaly. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups between gestational ages as follows: Group 1, 9-12 weeks (first trimester); Group 2, 13-25 weeks (second trimester); Group 3, 26-37 weeks (third trimester); and Group 4, 38-40 weeks (full term). Also, the fetuses were grouped into monthly cohorts: 9-12 weeks 3rd month, 13-16 weeks 4th month, 17-20 weeks 5th month, 21-24 weeks 6th month, 25-28 weeks 7th month, 29-32 weeks 8th month, 33-36 weeks 9th month, and 37-40 weeks 10th month. The suprarenal glands were dissected in the abdominal cavity. The dimensions (width, length, and thickness), volumes and weights of the suprarenal glands were evaluated. The ratio of the fetal suprarenal gland weight/fetal body weight, the ratio of the fetal suprarenal gland volume/fetal kidney volume, and the ratio of the fetal suprarenal gland dimensions/fetal kidney dimensions were evaluated.Mean values and standard deviations of all parameters according to gestational weeks and trimesters were calculated. It is found that all parameters increase with gestational age. There was significant correlation between gestational age and all parameters (p0.001). No significant differences were observed between sexes for any of the parameters (p0.05). There was no difference between the right and left sides of parameters except the thickness of the suprarenal glands. The left suprarenal glands were thicker than the right. The ratio of suprarenal volumes to kidney volumes was determined, and we observed that the ratio decreased during the fetal period.We believe that the results obtained from this study will be beneficial in understanding the development of suprarenal glands and also contribute to future studies in obstetrics, perinatology, and fetopathology.

The aim of this study was to determine the morphometric development and location of the kidneys during the fetal period.Three hundred and forty-four fetal kidneys, obtained from 172 human fetuses and aged between 9 and 40 weeks, were used in this study. Fetuses were divided into four groups according to the gestational weeks: first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and full-term gestation. First, the anterior abdominal wall was dissected. Topographic localization of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity was then assessed. The distance between the inferior pole of the kidney and iliac crest was measured. The vertebral levels of the superior and the inferior poles and relations to ribs of the kidneys were determined. The distances between hilum of the kidneys and inferior vena cava, abdominal aorta, and midline of the vertebral column were determined. The dimensions (width, length, and thickness), weight, and volume of kidneys were measured.The results showed that the distance between the inferior poles of the kidneys and the iliac crest increases with gestational age. The vertebral levels of the superior and inferior poles of the kidneys increased during the fetal period. The level of the left kidney was higher than the level of the right kidney in the fetal period. The posterior surface relations to the ribs showed certain ascendance during gestation, corresponding to vertebral levels. However, fetal kidneys do not reach the same level as adults at full term. The kidneys move farther apart from the midline of the body during the fetal period. The dimensions, weight, and volume of the kidneys increased with gestational age during the fetal period. The ratio between kidney weights and fetal body weights were determined, and we observed that the ratio decreased during the fetal period. There were no sex or laterality differences in any parameter.The morphometric parameters and the location of the fetal kidneys were determined by the present study. This will also contribute to imaging of fetal kidneys and detection of kidney abnormalities in the intrauterine period. We hope that the present results can provide some useful findings for radiological (ultrasound and MR) studies.

This study aims to determine the development and morphology of the patella and patellar tendon and to obtain morphometric data about these structures during the fetal period. One hundred five human fetuses (55 males and 50 females) aged 9–40 weeks were used in this study. Fetuses were divided into four groups between gestational weeks; Group I (9–12 weeks), Group II (13–25 weeks), Group III (26–37 weeks), and Group IV (38–40 weeks). The patella and patellar ligament were exposed via anatomical dissection; the dimensions (length, width, thickness) and the width of the lateral and medial articular surfaces of the patella, and the length and width of the patellar ligament, were measured using a Vernier's caliper. No significant differences were observed between genders or sides for any of the parameters (P > 0.05), and a significant correlation was found between gestational age and all parameters (P < 0.001). All parameters of the patella and patellar ligament were found to be different statistically between trimesters (P < 0.05). This study reveals the development, morphological changes, and the morphometric measurements of the patella and patellar ligament during the fetal period. We hope that the present results can be useful for future studies. Clin. Anat. 24:225–231, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This study aimed to determine the location and morphometric development of the fetal abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries. The study was carried out between 1996 and 2008 on 172 spontaneously aborted human fetuses (76 males and 96 females) aged between 9 and 40 weeks. None of the fetuses had any external pathology or anomaly. The location of the abdominal aorta was determined in reference to the vertebral column. This was followed by measurements of the lengths, external diameters of the origin of the aorta, and bifurcation of aorta as well as the bifurcation angles of the abdominal aorta. The vertebral levels at which the abdominal aorta started and bifurcated were determined. The lengths and external diameters of the common iliac arteries, diameters of the internal and external iliac arteries, and lengths of the external iliac arteries were measured. The vertebral levels of bifurcation of the common iliac arteries were determined. The fetal abdominal aorta lay in the midline, in front of the vertebral column. The mean bifurcation angle of the abdominal aorta was greater than adults in the third trimester and at full term. The lengths and diameters of the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries increased with gestational age, and significant positive correlations were found. There were no sex or laterality differences in either parameter. External diameter of the internal iliac artery was larger than that of the external iliac artery. Bifurcation of the abdominal aorta to the common iliac arteries was more inferior compared to the adults, and these levels rose with gestational age. The morphometric parameters and location of the fetal abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries were determined by the present study. We conclude that the abdominal aorta lay in the midsagittal plane. The bifurcation level of the abdominal aorta arose with gestational age and at full term, and reaches to the same level as adults. In the early fetal period, the bifurcation level of the common iliac artery was more inferior compared to the adults, and they reach the adult positions around full term. The diameter of the internal iliac artery was nearly one and a half times larger than the external iliac artery. The findings of this study would be present, detailed information about the development of the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries; this will also contribute to radiological (ultrasound and MR) studies in the intrauterine period.

The aim of this study was to determine the development, location, and size of the urinary bladder during the fetal period. The study was performed on 149 human fetuses between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation. The location of the urinary bladder with respect to transverse plane between the highest point of pubic symphysis and the sacral promontory and median sagittal plane was first determined. The dimensions and the angle of the urinary bladder were measured, and bladder shapes were determined. In addition, the edges of the vesical trigone were measured. There was no significant difference between sexes for any of the parameters (P > 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between all parameters and gestational age (P < 0.001). The urinary bladder was located above the transverse plane in most of the cases (83%) and in the median sagittal plane in every case. It was determined that the angle of bladder did not change and the mean value of the angle was 151 degrees during the fetal period. Bladder was categorized into four different shapes (ellipsoid, round, cuboid, and triangular), and the most common shape found during the fetal period was cuboid. The vesical trigone was an isosceles triangle during the fetal period. The new data provided by this study will enable evaluation of the development of the fetal urinary bladder, and should be useful in several fields such as anatomy, fetopathology, medical imaging, obstetrics, and pediatric urology. Clin. Anat. 21:683-690, 2008. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The objective of this study was to gather data on the morphology of the uterus during its development, to provide detailed information regarding the neighboring structures and its variations using anatomical dissections.Eighty uteri acquired from female fetuses aged 10-40 weeks of gestation were used in this study. Firstly, the relationship between the fetal uterus and the linea terminalis and the position of the uterus within the pelvic cavity was noted. Then the distance between the fundus of the uterus to the promontory and pubic symphysis were measured. Fetal uteri were classified according to their physical appearances. Finally the lengths of the corpus and cervix in three planes and the anteflexion angle were measured.During the fetal period, the fundus of the uterus was above the linea terminalis in 94% and below it in 6% of the cases. The distance between the fundus of the uterus and the promontory significantly correlated with the distance between the fundus of the uterus and the pubic symphysis (p0.001). This was true for the correlation between the gestational age and the orthogonal lengths of the uterine corpus and cervix (p0.001). As the gestational age advanced, the anteflexion angle was noted to reduce from 177 degrees to 120 degrees . The shape of the uterus was either cylindrical, pear-shaped, heart-shaped or hourglass-shaped during the fetal period.We believe that the data obtained through dissections of the human fetuses in this study will help identifying uterine developmental variations, anomalies and pathologies and will contribute to the studies carried out in obstetrics, perinatology, forensic medicine and fetal pathology departments.

Objective: The aim of this study,is to determine the colon types, developmental change of the colon morphology during the fetal period. Methods: The study was realised on 131 human fetuses (male 69, female 62) ages between 10 and 40 weeks, which have no external pathology and anomalies. The colon types were evaluated in two parts. As the first part, the colon part between the ileal orifice and sigmoid colon was typed. The sigmoid colon was typed as the second part. The macroscopic diameters of parts of the colon and the thicknesses of wall layers of ascending and descending colons were measured under the light, microscope. Results: For the proximal part of the colon, there were seven types of colon, and there were five types for the sigmoid colon. For the first part, transverse type colon was a rare type during the fetal period (3%). The oblique type colon was observed mostly in the first and second trimester during the fetal period. Adult type colon was the most common type in the third trimester and full-term groups. The pendulous type colon was observed mostly in the third trimester. The development of the haustra and tenia coli in the first trimester was quite slow, but later the development increased more and more, and during the full-term period, the haustra and tenia coli could be seen clearly. Conclusion: The percentage distribution of the colon types between the trimesters was significant. It was observed that the maturation of haustra and tenia coli started from the ascending colon and progressed towards the sigmoid colon. The thickness of the tunica, mucosa layer both in the ascending and in descending colon part increased considerably in the middle of the second trimester. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective: In our study, the morphologic structures of the jejunum and ileum sections of small intestine were investigated in human fetuses during the fetal period. Materials and methods: The study was realised on 131 human fetuses (male: 69; female: 62) with ages between 10 and 40 weeks, which have got no external pathology and anomalies. The external sizes of fetuses were measured, and then the structures in the abdominal cavity were determined by the abdominal dissection. The localization of jejunum and ileum, duodenojejunal flexure and ileal orifice points, the measurements of macroscopic diameters, types of the mass of jejunum and ileum and the localization according to the abdominal regions of the mass of jejunum and ileum were determined. Also, the samples of the jejunum and ileum were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. The thickness of tunica serosa, tunica muscularis and tunica mucosa was determined under the light microscope. Results: According to the sexes, gestastional ages and groups, the averages and the standard deviations of the all parameters were determined. The correlations between the parameters were determined. The percentage of parameters was compared according to sex and among groups. No differences were found in parameters between sexes (p < 0.05). The macroscopic parameters were increased according to the gestational age. The thickness of tunica serosa did not change according to the gestational age. Conclusion: It is thought that the data we have will help the evaluation of jejunum and ileum in intrauterine period; we also believe that the data in our study may help in the diagnosis and treatment of anomalies and pathologies in fetal period that belongs to jejunum and ileum. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The distribution of androgen receptors (ARs) in paraffin serial sections of day 17 and day 18 male and female mouse embryos was investigated. In the cranial section of the genital tract AR expression was restricted to Wolffian structures while Mullerian ducts and surrounding mesenchyme were AR negative. In the fusion zone with the urogenital sinus the epithelial components of the vaginal bud were clearly distinguished by differential AR expression, which was faint in the Wolffian ducts, totally missing in the Mullerian ducts, and intense in the sinus ridges with the most intense expression in the morphogenetically active mesenchyme, indicating a new mechanism of negative control of vagina formation via androgens. Expression of ARs outside the genital tract was observed: (1) in loose interstitial mesenchyme extending into the retroperitoneal space up to the coeliac artery, indicating androgen effects during ascent of the kidneys and descent of intraperitoneal organs, (2) in the trigone of the bladder indicating androgen involvement in the development of the vesico-ureteral junction, and (3) in loose mesenchyme between striated muscle fibres and around pelvic skeletal elements, indicating mediation of androgen effects on the musculoskeletal system via loose mesenchyme.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the growing of the caecum and the vermiform appendix during the fetal period in human fetuses and the relation between growing and shape of the caecum and the localization of the vermiform appendix. Methods: 40 male and 40 female externally normal-looking fetuses were studied between 10 and 40 weeks of gestation and were subdivided into fetuses of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters and full-term fetuses. The parameters of interest included covering of the caecum with peritoneum, shape of the caecum (long tube, symmetric saccule, asymmetric saccule, extremely large right side – atypical), axial length and width of the caecum localization of the vermiform appendix, length of vermiform appendix and length of the meso-appendix. Results: There was a difference in covering of the caecum with peritoneum between males and females; the caecum was predominantly tube shaped during the fetal period, with the asymmetric saccule towards the end of the fetal period; the localization of the vermiform appendix was subcaecal (39%) during the fetal period and postileal (34%) in female fetuses and subcaecal (48%) in male fetuses – the localization of the vermiform appendix changed according to the caecum shape during the fetal period; we found significant differences in the measurements of vermiform appendix, meso-appendix, and caecum among 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-trimester fetuses and full-term fetuses. Conclusions: There was an increase in the measurements for vermiform appendix, meso-appendix, and caecum with increasing gestational age; the localization of the vermiform appendix depended on the shape of the caecum, was different from that of adults and different between sexes, and there was also a significant difference in covering of the caecum with peritoneum between both sexes.

The purpose of the present study is to assess the development of seminiferous tubule volume, stromal volume and total testis volume in the human fetal testis during the fetal period using the stereological method. In this study, we examined 90 testes of 45 human fetuses with no congenital anomalies and pathologies. They were aged between 12 and 40 weeks and localized between the scrotum and the abdomen. Total testis volume, seminiferous tubule volume, and stromal volume were estimated using Cavalier Principles. The weight and density of the testes were calculated as well. During the fetal period, the testes were firstly found on the right in the 27th week and on the left in the 32nd week in the scrotum. At the end of the third trimester and full term, the migration of the testes into scrotum was completed (98%). When the second trimester, third trimester and full term fetuses were compared, the differences between testis volumes were significant (p0.001). The density of the testes between the groups was not significant (p0.05). Testis parameters during the fetal period were not significantly (p0.05) different between the right and left testes localization. The correlation between the fetal testis parameters was significant (p0.001). Towards the end of the fetal period, the rate of seminiferous tubule volume to stromal volume changed in the favor of seminiferous tubule volume. It was observed that interstitial tissue became more regular and had a good organized structure with the progress of gestational age. In the third trimester, the lumen in the seminiferous tubules became more regular and clear and the interstitial tissue had a clear appearance.