Early and timely diagnosis of the spinal column and spinal cord pathologies, their intrauterine and postnatal correction require detailed knowledge of the anatomy and topography of the cervical spine in the fetus. The complex interactions of the cervical spine with the corresponding parts of the spinal cord and adjacent structures require detailed study during the embryonic period of ontogenesis.The aim of the study was to investigate the morphometric and topographic anatomical fetal features of the cervical spine and adjacent structures at 20–22 weeks of the intrauterine development.Material and methods. This study was performed on the sectional material from human fetuses, 20–22 weeks of development (20 human fetuses of both sexes), obtained from the fetal collection of the Department of Human Anatomy, Orenburg State Medical University. A standard set of morphological methods were applied in the study – macromicroscopic preparation, Pirogov method of cuts in three mutually perpendicular planes, production of serial histotopograms with Van Gieson staining, photography, morphometry.Results. It was found that during the studied periods of prenatal ontogenesis, the length of the cervical spine averaged 17.5±1.5 mm. The transverse size of the vertebral body in fetuses of 20–22 weeks of development throughout the cervical spine is of greater importance than the anteroposterior. The transverse and anteroposterior dimensions of the vertebral foramen gradually decrease in the craniocaudal direction. It was also demonstrated that it is necessary to remove the dura mater in order to obtain reliable dimensional characteristics of the spinal cord.Conclusion. Thus, the data obtained on the anatomy and topography of the spinal column and the spinal cord at the 20th – 22nd weeks of the human ontogenesis can serve as the morphological basis of fetal surgery.
The aim of study was to identify anatomical features of the vertebral column and spinal cord, as well as their relationships at the stage of the intermediate fetal period of ontogenesis.Material and methods. The research included the study and analysis of the sectional material of 20 human fetuses of both genders at the 18–21 weeks of their development. The material was obtained as a result of abortion on social indications. The complex of morphological methods such as macro-microscopic preparation, N.I. Pirogov technique of preparations of variously-planared sections, preparation of series of histotopogrammes with van Gieson’s staining was used in the study.Results. The study has revealed that the length of the vertebral column varied from 110±4.9 mm to 122±4.7 mm in the investigated period of ontogenesis. The development of the vertebral column curvatures was observed; thoracic kyphosis being found most commonly (in 80% of cases). The transverse size of the vertebral body was larger than the anterior-posterior size of the vertebral column. There was an asymmetry of holes in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. The character of changes in the vertebral canal was defined, the dynamics of these changes was quantitatively described. The morphometry of the spinal cord was performed in correlation with the spinal column. The largest length of the spinal roots was registered at the level of Sc5. The study demonstrated that development of the spinal cord is subject to the rule of bilateral asymmetry: spinal roots of the same segment on the right and left sides are not always symmetrical and may have different length parameters.Conclusion. Thus, the obtained data on quantitative morphometry and topography of the vertebral column and spinal cord at the 18–21 weeks of the human ontogenesis can be used as the anatomical basis for the developing fetal surgery and diagnostic methods.
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