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Aim: We aimed to investigate the morphometric development of the orbit and eyeball in the fetal period. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out on 136 fetal eyes (86 males, 50 females) obtained from 68 fetuses aged between 15-40 gestational weeks. In this study, the area, height, width, volume, depth, and circumference parameters of the orbit were measured, while the anteroposterior and transverse diameters, weight and volume parameters of the eyeball were measured. Also, the diameter at the place where the optic nerve enters the eyeball was measured. Results: It was determined that all parameters increased during the trimesters and there was a statistically significant difference between the trimesters in all parameters. There was no statistically significant difference in all parameters in terms of gender. In the comparison of the right and left sides, orbital area (p0.05). However, the diameter of the optic nerve was higher on the left side (p

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.

PURPOSE The current study's purpose was to determine morphometric analysis of all facial foramina and mandibular angle relative to surgical landmarks from cone beam computed tomographic scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were reconstructed from data of 100 patients (200 sides) aged between 19 and 76 years. Morphometric measurements of all facial foramina relative to surgical landmarks were taken. Mandibular angle was measured. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between the left and right sides for all parameters (P > 0.05). Therefore, we found bilateral symmetry in the position of all facial foramina and mandibular angle. However, statistically significant differences were determined in sexes in some of these parameters and mandibular angle. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge about locations of facial foramina and mandibular angle is important for performing local nerve block and surgery in the face to avoid the neurovascular structures. This study provides a guideline for locations of facial foramina and mandibular angle, which may help surgeons to understand the nerve location precisely during surgery.

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.

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.