Prostate Gland in Human Foetuses: A Study of its Histogenesis

Background: To study the histogenesis of the prostate gland in human foetuses. ‘Prostates’ is a Greek word which literally means “one who stands before”, protector, guardian. It is important from a clinical point of view as it undergoes benign enlargement from the fifth decade, hence attracting the attention of males around this age and simultaneously the clinicians. Materials and Methods: 100 foetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 14 weeks (85 mm) to 40 weeks (440 mm), products of terminated pregnancies under Medical Termination of Pregnancy, MTP Act of India, 1971 and stillbirths were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences), Imphal, Manipur and utilised for the present study with permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Results and Discussion: The first sign of differentiation is recognised as increased cellularity and denser mesenchymal cells. Cytoarchitecture at specific age period at different age groups are described. Conclusion: Cytoarchitecturally, differentiation of all the three components of the prostate gland was noted as the age changes. It is inferred that of the three components of the adult tissues, the glandular component is differentiated from the epithelial lining of the urethra. This further induces the early mesenchymal tissues to differentiate into muscles and fibrous components. And at term, it has all the three components of the adult tissues although it is not as mature as in adult.

Morphogenesis Of The Prostate Gland In Human Foetuses

Background: To study the morphogenesis of the prostate gland in human foetuses. ‘Prostates’ is a Greek wordwhich literally means “one who stands before”, protector, guardian. It is important from a clinical point of viewas it undergoes benign enlargement from the fifth decade,hence attracting the attention of males around this ageand simultaneously the clinicians.Materials and Methods: 112 foetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 14 weeks (85 mm) to 40 weeks(440 mm), products of terminated pregnancies under MTP Act of India, 1971 and stillbirths were collected fromthe Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, Imphal and utilised for the present study with permissionfrom the Institutional Ethical Committee.Results and observations: The first time of appearance of the prostate gland to the naked eye till its definitiveadult shape is studied. Growth and development at specific age period at different age groups are described.Conclusion: Increase in vertical and transverse dimensions, assumption of adult shape were noted as the agechanges.And at term,it has all the three components of the adult tissues although it is not as mature as inadult.This signifies that the growth of the prostate continues postnatally.

Morphometric Analysis of Appendicular and Spinal Ventral Horn Growth -A Correlative Study in Human Foetuses.

Background: Literature showing growth pattern of cervical and lumbar enlargements of spinal cord and the limbs to which they supply and their inter-relationships do not exist in literature in human samples. Methods: Spinal cords were dissected out from 30 normal human foetuses of different gestational ages, divided into five equal groups. Mean length of arm, forearm and thigh were determined in each group. Sections obtained from cervical and lumbar enlargements were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to determine mean transverse diameters of their ventral horns in each foetal group. Results: Length of the forearm was smaller than that of the arm till third trimester when a relative spurt in growth of forearm was noticed. Conclusion: Direct correlation exhibited in growth patterns between transverse diameters of ventral horn of cervical enlargement and forelimb measurements on one hand and that of lumbar enlargement and hind limb parameters on the other hand with a spurt of growth between second and third groups of foetuses.

Prenatal Morphometric Analysis Of Supraorbital, Infraorbital And Mental Foramina In Human Foetuses And Their Clinical Correlations To Anaesthesia And Surgical Procedure.

Modern surgical procedures, anesthesia, acupuncture and other invasive procedures on the face require a more precise understanding of the anatomy of important landmarks to prevent subsequent neurovascular complications in the frontal region, upper jaw and lower jaw. Studies on bilateral locational relationship of SOF, IOF and mental foramen in foetal skull are still lacking, so aim of our study was 1) to examine the various morphometric variations (the location and shape) of SOF, IOF and mental foramina of the facial skeleton in human foetuses at different age of gestation 2) to establish whether or not, the location of these foramina get changed as the foetus matures and 3) to establish the pattern of growth of aforesaid foramina. For these 40 formalin-fixed foetuses between 17 and 32 weeks of gestation were studied for SOF, IOF and mental foramina. Foetuses were divided into two groups according to age. It was interesting to note that supra-orbital and mental foramina were placed in the same sagittal plane on both sides of the midline. Infra-orbital foramen was located lateral to sagittal plane for supra-orbital and mental foramina. The shape of SOF was recorded as a notch or rarely a foramen, whereas the shape of IOF and mental foramen were determined as a circular and an oval opening respectively.

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...

Bilateral variations and sexual dimorphism in morphometric parameters of infraorbital groove, canal and foramen in human foetuses / Variaciones bilaterales y dimorfismo sexual en los parámetros morfométricos del surco, canal y foramen infraorbitario en fetos humanos

Foetal anatomy seems to be highly promising developing speciality in the recent past. Maxilla is the key to facial skeleton. Its anatomy in general and bilateral variations along with sexual dimorphism in particular are of great surgical and forensic importance. Thirty two maxillae of sixteen human foetuses (21 wks to 34 wks) were considered to measure lengths of infraorbital groove and canal, widths of ends of infraorbital groove, diameters of infraorbital foramen and the distances of latter from infraorbital margin and nasal notch. Groups I (21-25 wks) and II (26-30 wks) foetuses were crucial for bilateral variations for most of the parameters. Distance between infraorbital foramen and nasal notch showed variations on two sides in maximum foetal groups. Infraorbital canal was found to be larger in groups II and III foetuses in females. Width of the posterior end of infraorbital groove was less in group I, equal in group II and more in group III in males. Sexual dimorphism was noticed in all the groups for the distance of infraorbital foramen from infraorbital margin. Distance of infraorbital foramen from nasal notch did not show sexual dimorphism in most of the groups except group I where value was more in males. Rule of generalized phenomenon of larger skeleton in male was not applicable in most of the groups.

La anatomía fetal, con su desarrollo en los últimos años, parece ser especialidad muy prometedora. El maxilar es la clave del esqueleto facial. Su anatomía en general y las variaciones bilaterales junto al dimorfismo sexual en particular, son de gran importancia quirúrgica y forense. Fueron estudiados 32 maxilares de 16 fetos humanos (21 semanas a 34 semanas) en los cuales se midió la longitud del surco y canal infraorbitario, anchos de los extremos de surco infraorbitario, diámetros del foramen infraorbitario y las distancias de este último desde el margen infraorbitario hasta la escotadura nasal. Las variaciones bilaterales en la mayoría de los parámetros fue en los grupos de fetos I (21-25 semanas) y II (26-30 semanas). La distancia entre el foramen infraorbitario y escotadura nasal mostró variaciones máximas en dos partes en los grupos de fetos. El canal Infraorbitario resultó ser más largo en los grupos II y III de fetos femeninos. El ancho del extremo posterior del surco infraorbitario fue menor en el grupo de fetos masculino I, igual en el grupo II y mayor en el grupo III. El dimorfismo sexual se observó en todos los grupos en la distancia desde el foramen infraorbitario hasta el margen infraorbitario. La distancia desde el foramen infraorbitario hasta la escotadura nasal no mostró dimorfismo sexual en la mayoría de los grupos a excepción del grupo I, donde el valor fue mayor en los hombres. La norma generalizada que el esqueleto más grande es del género masculino no fue aplicable en la mayoría de los grupos.

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.