Estudo morfométrico do músculo latíssimo do dorso em fetos humanos / Morphometric study of the latissimus dorsi muscle in human fetuses

Introdução: O músculo latíssimo do dorso (MLD) é largo, triangular e realiza extensão, adução e rotação medial do braço. É vascularizado pelos vasos toracodorsais e ramos perfurantes das artérias intercostais posteriores e lombares, configurando retalho tipo V de Mathes e Nahai, de grande aplicabilidade em cirurgia plástica. O objetivo é analisar a morfometria e a vascularização do MLD em fetos humanos. Método: Dissecou-se a região axilar e o MLD de oito fetos humanos formolizados (três do sexo feminino e cinco do sexo masculino), entre 20 e 32 semanas gestacionais, em decúbito dorsal e abdução completa do braço. Mensuraram-se os comprimentos dos vasos subescapulares e toracodorsais, e foi realizada a morfometria do músculo. Resultados: Em todos os fetos, os vasos toracodorsais conferiram a vascularização primária do MLD. Em 25%, a veia subescapular era tributária direta da veia axilar; 25% dos casos apresentaram veia circunflexa da escápula dupla. O ramo para o músculo serrátil anterior foi único em todos os casos. Em 50% dos casos, o ramo angular da artéria toracodorsal foi visualizado e, em 25% deles, era proveniente do ramo para o músculo serrátil anterior. A distância entre a inserção do músculo e a entrada do pedículo neurovascular variou entre 1,1 e 1,9 cm em fetos de 21 e 26 semanas, respectivamente. Todos os fetos apresentaram a margem anterior do músculo na linha axilar média. Conclusão: A morfometria constante e a reduzida variação anatômica do pedículo vascular encontradas possibilitam a realização de pesquisas envolvendo o uso do MLD em reconstruções cirúrgicas intraútero.

Introduction: The latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) is a flat triangular muscle which extends, adducts and draws the arm medially. Its blood supply is from the thoracodorsal vessels and the perforating branches of the posterior intercostal and lumbar arteries, therefore, it is a type V flap variety, which has great applicability in plastic surgery. This study aims to analyze the morphometry and the vascularization of MLD in human fetuses. Methods: The axillary region and LDM of eight human fetuses (3 females, 5 males), between 20 and 32 weeks of gestational ages, were dissected in supine position with complete abduction of the arm. The subscapular and thoracodorsal vessels lengths were measured and the morphology of the muscle was studied. Results: In all fetuses, the dominant vascular pedicle of LDM was the thoracodorsal vessels. In 25% of cases the subscapular vein was tributary of the axillary vein. Double circumflex scapular vein were found in 25% of the cases. In all fetuses, the serratus anterior branch was unique. In 50% of the cases the angular branch of the thoracodorsal artery was found, 25% of them were from the serratus anterior branch. The length between its insertion and the entry of the neurovascular pedicle was 1.1 to 1.9 cm in fetuses of 21 and 26 weeks, respectively. In all fetuses, the anterior border of the muscle was at the mid-axillary line. Conclusion: The constant morphometry and reduced anatomical variation of the vascular pedicle enables new studies regarding the use of LDM in surgical reconstructions in utero.

Morphometric changes in talus of club foot A gross observation in human foetuses / Cambios morfométricos en talus del pie zambo, una observación macroscópica en fetos humanos

Both the feet of six human foetuses of different age groups having unilateral club feet, were dissected for morphological study. Six morphometric parameters considered for comparing gross anatomical changes in normal and deformed feet, were 1-Maximum length of the talus, 2-Longitudinal dimension of head of talus, 3-Anterior trochlear breadth, 4-Maximum medial talar height, 5-Talar neck and calcaneal angle, 6-Talocalcaneal angle. All the foetuses with congenital club feet have almost similar deformity of foot skeleton. The gross anomalies observed were the smaller size of club foot talus and increased medial and planter deviation of a stunted, misshapen head and neck region. A medial plantar subluxation of the navicular bone with a consequent deformity of the articular facets of the talar head was also observed. Uniformity and consistency of anatomical abnormalities were striking features in present study.

Para su estudio morfológico fueron disecados ambos pies de seis fetos humanos de distintas edades, uno de los pies era zambo. Seis parámetros morfométricos fueron considerados para la comparación de graves alteraciones anatómicas en los pies normales y deformes; estos fueron: 1. Longitud máxima del talus, 2. Dimensión longitudinal de la cabeza del talus, 3. Ancho troclear anterior, 4. Altura medial máxima del talus, 5. Cuello talar y ángulo calcáneo, 6. Ángulo talocalcáneo. Todos los fetos con pie zambo congénito tienen una deformidad similar del esqueleto del pie. Las anomalías graves observadas fueron el menor tamaño del talus del pie zambo, aumento de la desviación media y retraso en el crecimiento plantar, deformación de la cabeza y región del cuello talar. También se observó una subluxación medial plantar del hueso navicular, con un consecuente deformidad de las facetas articulares de la cabeza del talus. La uniformidad y consistencia de las anomalías anatómicas fueron los rasgos más llamativos en este estudio.

Morphometric analysis of lumbosacral canal in human foetuses / Análisis morfométrico del canal lumbosacro en fetos humanos

Lumbosacral part of the spinal canal requires special attention because this is the site commonly involved in spina bifida, tethered cord syndrome and some other pathologies like fatty tumours in the spine, cysts and syrinxes. The diagnosis as well as the treatment of neural tube defects mandates an accurate knowledge of morphometry of lumbosacral vertebral canal. There are various reports on radiological morphometric measurements in human foetuses by various authors but these possess inherent variability due to imaging techniques, patient positioning, observer's measuring techniques and normal and pathological variations. To overcome all these limitations, direct measurements by vernier calliper were preferred. 30 Formalin preserved human foetuses, of all age groups and both sexes, free of congenital craniovertebral anomalies, were obtained from the museum of Dept. of Anatomy, J. N. Medical College AMU Aligarh for the present study. Foetuses were divided into five groups (I-V) based on their gestational ages. Group I foetuses were of less than 17 weeks, II of 17-20 weeks, III of 21-25 weeks, IV of 26-30 weeks and V of more than 30 weeks. Each group contained 6 foetuses having both male and female, 3 each. Morphometric parameters taken into account were length of lumbar canal, maximum transverse diameters of lumbar vertebral canal at different vertebral levels, heights of the posterior surfaces of bodies of all lumbar vertebrae and length of sacral canal. Readings of adjacent groups were compared and results were analyzed by using Student's 't' test. Lumbar canal starts growing in length significantly in group III foetuses onward. There was consistency in the growth of lumbar canal diameters with gestational age at all levels. Heights of vertebral bodies of Ist two lumbar vertebrae showed variability in some adjacent groups. The same in the next three grew constantly with the growth of foetuses. Sacral canal showed variable growth in lengths in different grou...

La porción lumbosacra del canal espinal requiere una atención especial; es un sitio frecuentemente implicado en la espina bífida, el síndrome de médula anclada y algunas otras patologías como tumores de grasa en la columna vertebral, quistes y siringomelia. El diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los defectos del tubo neural requieren de un conocimiento preciso de la morfometría del canal vertebral lumbosacro. Existen diversos informes radiológicos sobre mediciones morfométricas en fetos humanos por parte de diversos investigadores, pero estos poseen una variabilidad inherente debido a las técnicas de imagen, posicionamiento del paciente, técnicas de medición del observador y, las variaciones normales y patológicas. Para superar todas estas limitaciones, para las mediciones directas se utilizó un caliper vernier. 30 fetos humanos conservados en formalina, de todas las edades y de ambos sexos, sin anomalías congénitas craneovertebrales, fueron obtenidos del museo del Departamento de Anatomía, J. N. Facultad de Medicina de la UMA, Aligarh. Los fetos fueron divididos en cinco grupos (I-V) sobre la base de su edad gestacional. El grupo I de fetos fueron los menores de 17 semanas, el II de 17-20 semanas, el III de 21-25 semanas, IV de 26 a 30 semanas, V de más de 30 semanas. Cada grupo contenía 6 fetos de ambos sexos (1:1/H:M)). Los parámetros morfométricos tomados en cuenta fueron la longitud del canal lumbar, el diámetro transversal máximo del canal vertebral lumbar en diferentes niveles, la altura de las superficies posteriores de los cuerpos de todas las vértebras lumbares y la longitud del canal sacro. Las mediciones de los grupos fueron comparadas y analizadas mediante el uso de la prueba de "t". El canal lumbar comenzó a aumentar en longitud significativamente desde el grupo de fetos III en adelante. No hubo consistencia en el crecimiento de los diámetros del canal lumbar con la edad gestacional en todos los niveles. Las alturas de los primeros dos cuerpos verte...

Estudo estrutural do pênis de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos no segundo trimestre de gestação / Structural study of the penis of normal and anencephalic human fetuses in the second trimester of pregnancy

A anecencefalia é o Defeito do Tubo Neural (DTN) mais severo em fetos humanos. Há uma demanda crescente para reposição tissular em doenças crônicas e cirurgias reconstrutoras. Tecidos fetais têm sido utilizados como substitutos para órgãos sólidos. Comparar a estrutura e morfologia do corpo cavernoso e corpo esponjoso de pênis de fetos humanos anencéfalos e de controle a fim de propor um novo modelo para estudos biológicos e transplantes teciduais. Foram estudados 11 pênis de fetos de controle de 14 a 23 Semanas Pós Concepção (SPC), e cinco pênis de fetos anencéfalos de 18 a 22 SPC. Os órgãos foram removidos e processados pelas técnicas histo e imunohistoquímicas rotineiras. A análise do tecido conjuntivo, células musculares lisas e fibras elásticas foram realizadas em lâminas dos espécimes. Os dados foram expressos em Densidade de àrea (Da) utilizando-se um software de processamento digital. As médias foram comparadas utilizando-se o Teste - T não pareado e quando aplicável, a regressão linear simples foi utilizada. Foi considerada significância estatística se p<0,05. O septo intercavernoso encontrava-se presente em todas as amostras. Não foram observadas diferenças da Da do tecido colágeno e musculatura lisa dos pênis de fetos anencéfalos quando comparados aos normais. A regressão linear simples sugere que durante o desenvolvimento humano há um aumen2to gradual do tecido colágeno (R2=0,45) e uma diminuição da musculatura lisa (R =0,62) no corpo cavernoso de ambos os grupos. A elastina encontrava-se presente apenas em fetos a partir da 20ª SPC. Não houve diferença na estrutura da genitália entre fetos normais e enencéfalos. Apresença da elastina em fetos a partir da 20ª SPC é um dado objetivo da manutenção da capacidade de ereção nestes grupos. A histo e imunohistoquímica sugerem que o desenvolvimento do pênis destes fetos encontra-se inalterado. Futuros estudos deverão ser realizados com o objetivo de avaliar fetos anencéfalos como um potencial ...

Anencephaly is the most severe neural tube defect (NTD) in human fetuses. There is an increasing need for tissue replacement in chronic diseases and reconstructive surgeries. Fetal tissues have been used as a substitute for native organs. Compare the structure and morphology of the corpora cavernosa and spongiosum of penises from anencephalic and normal human fetuses to propose a new model for biological studies and tissue transplantation. We studied 11 penises from normal human fetuses, aged 14 to 23 weeks post-conception (WPC), and 5 penises from anencephalic fetuses, aged 18 to 22 WPC. The organs were removed and processed by routine histological and immunolabeling techniques. Analysis of connective tissue (Cot), smooth muscle (SMC) and elastic fibers (EF) were performed in sections. Data were expressed as area density (Ad) using digital processing and software. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired t test and linear regression was performed. Statistical significance was considered if p < 0.05. The Intracavernosal septum was present in all samples. We did not observe differences in the Ad of Cot and SMC in the penises of anencephalic fetuses when compared to normal ones. The simple linear regression suggested that during human development there is a gradual increase in Cot (R2= +0.45) and a decrease of SMC (R2=- 0.62) in the corpora cavernosa in both groups studied. Elastin was observed only in fetuses from 20th WPC. There was no difference in the structure of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum of anencephalic fetuses compared to normal ones. Elastin was documented from 20th WPC, which suggests the maintenance of erectile function. Histochemistry and immunolabeling suggested that penile shaft development is maintained and unaltered in anencephalic fetuses. Further studies should be performed to analyze anencephalic fetuses as a potential tissue donating group and a model for biological studies

Ramas emergentes del arco aórtico en fetos humanos: un estudio descriptivo directo en población colombiana / Branches arise of the aortic arch in human fetus: a descriptive direct study in Colombian population

Las variaciones anatómicas en el número y ubicación de ramas emergentes del arco aórtico tienen diversos grados de implicación clínica y de su identificación oportuna depende el manejo y pronóstico de las alteraciones asociadas. Al revisar su compleja morfogénesis y reportes bibliográficos previos surge la hipótesis de si algunas formas de expresión pudieran ser transicionales durante la gestación y no manifestarse en el adulto. En Colombia no hay registros directos sobre la expresión morfológica de las ramas del arco aórtico en población fetal, razón que motiva el desarrollo del presente trabajo. Se analizaron 51 bloques cardiopulmonares de fetos mortinatos sin anomalías cardiovasculares, entre 17 y 40 semanas de gestación, cuyos lechos vasculares fueron repletados con resina poliéster. Luego se valoró el número de ramas emergentes del arco aórtico y la distancia entre ellas de acuerdo a la edad gestacional. La forma usual de presentación con 3 ramas en el arco aórtico se encontró en 56.9 por ciento de los casos, en el 27,5 por ciento se originaron 2 ramas, y en el 15,7 por ciento 4 ramas. La distribución del número de ramas por edad gestacional no mostró diferencia significativa (p>0,1). La distancia entre la primera y última ramas aumentó linealmente con la edad gestacional, pero no se observó diferencia significativa (p>0,1) entre el número de ramas y las semanas de desarrollo de los fetos evaluados. Nuestra frecuencia de variaciones en el número de ramas del arco aórtico es superior a la reportada en la literatura, particularmente en los arcos con 4 ramas en la totalidad de los cuales el vaso adicional se ubica entre la carótida común y la subclavia izquierdas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que estos patrones morfológicos están definidos desde el período embrionario y no se modifican en el transcurso de la gestación.

The anatomic variations in position and number of branches arise of the aortic arch have different grades of clinical implication and the right treatment and prognosis of associated anomalies depend of their early diagnosis. Reviewing your morphogenesis complex and previous literature come up the hypothesis about some expression could be transitional during gestation and do not to express in postnatal life. The morphological expression of the branches of the aortic arch in human fetuses is unknown in Colombia and that is why this study has been developed. 51 cardiopulmonary blocks obtained from stillborn fetus from 17th to 40th gestation weeks without cardiovascular anomalies, were analyzed and filled with polyester resin. Then the number of branches arises from the aortic arch and the distance between them was also analyzed through gestation. In 56.9 percent of the cases 3 branches are arisen from the aortic arch, 2 branches in 27.5 percent and 4 branches in 15.7 percent. The number of branches according to gestational age showed no significant difference (p>0.1). Distance between the first and the last branches increases linearly with gestational age, but showed no significant difference (p>0.1) between the number of branches and the gestation's weeks of the analyzed fetus. The variations found in the number of branches from the aortic arch are further than what literature reports, especially in cases with 4 branches, in these cases the additional branch was between left common carotid and left subclavian artery. These findings indicate than the morphologic patterns were defined since the embryonic stage, and they do not change during gestation.

Morphometric analysis of infraorbital foramen and infraorbital canal in human feotuses / Análisis morfométrico del foramen infraorbitario y canal infraorbitario en fetos humanos

Literature regarding analysis of infraorbital foramen and canal exists in adult but it is scanty in foetuses. Morphometric measurements were performed in sixty maxillae dissected out from thirty human foetuses. The latter were divided into five groups on the basis of age i.e. groups I(<17 weeks IUL),II (17-20 weeks IUL), III (21-25 weeks IUL),IV (26-30 weeks IUL) and V (>30 weeks IUL).Four parameters considered were length of infraorbital foramen and canal and width of anterior and posterior ends of infraorbital foramen. Range of measurements between the smallest fetal group to largest fetal group for length of infraorbital foramen and canal and width at the anterior and posterior ends of infraorbital foramen were 4.01mm to 6.00 mm,0.67 mm to 2.60 mm,0.64 mm to 1.65 mm and 1.39 mm to 3.01 mm, respectively.The shape of the infraorbital foramen is maintained in most of the groups. Correlation coefficient analysis between measurements of lengths and aging foetuses is indicative of variable osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities. Enhanced osteoblastic activity seems to be an important phenomenon in postnatal life.

Existe literatura en relación con el análisis de foramen y canal infraorbitarios en adultos pero es escasa en fetos. Se realizaron mediciones morfométricas en 60 maxilares disecados de 30 fetos humanos. Los fetos fueron divididos en cinco grupos en función de la edad, es decir los grupos I (<17 semana VIU), II (17-20 semanas VIU), III (21-25 semanas VIU), IV (26-30 semanas VIU) y V (> 30 semanas VIU). Fueron considerados cuatro parámetros : longitudes del foramen y canal infraorbitario y anchos anterior y posterior de los extremos del foramen infraorbitario. El rango de las mediciones entre el grupo de fetos más pequeño al grupo más grande tanto de las longitudes del foramen y canal infraorbitario como los anchos de los extremos en la parte anterior y posterior del foramen infraorbitario fueron: 4.01mm a 6.00 mm, 0.67 mm a 2.60 mm, 0.64 mm a 1.65 mm y 1.39 mm a 3.01 mm, respectivamente. La forma del foramen infraorbitario se mantuvo en la mayoría de los grupos. El análisis del coeficiente de correlación entre las mediciones de longitudes y edades de los fetos, es indicativo de las variables de actividades osteoblástica y osteoclástica. El aumento de la actividad osteoblástica parece ser un fenómeno importante en la vida postnatal.