Histological differentiation of human fetal kidney.

Introduction: The description of development of human kidney given in various textbooks doesn’t include detail microscopic appearance of kidney at various fetal ages. So an attempt was made in this study to gather information on this topic. Material and methods: The present study was carried out on 15 human fetuses of known gestational age (GA). The sections of kidney were processed and were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: At 12th week of GA various stages of developing glomeruli were observed in the substance of the kidneys. In the cortex, various cut sections of the tubules were observed without any differentiation as proximal (PCT) and distal tubules (DCT). The second trimester section showed well differentiated the PCT and DCT by 16th week. Distinct brush border was observed in PCT by the 16th week. Immature duct system was observed in the medulla. The nephrogenic zone was appreciated till 36 weeks. By 28 th week the sections of DCT were observed adjacent to the renal corpuscles indicating the developing juxtaglomerular apparatus. Conclusion: As it is essential to know the developmental morphology of kidney, the present study explains every component of it in detail.

Femoral Neck Anteversion and Neck Shaft Angles: Determination and their Clinical Implications in Fetuses of Different Gestational Ages

Precise anatomical assessment of femoral neck anteversion (FNA) and the neck shaft angles (NSA) would be essential in diagnosing the pathological conditions involving hip joint and its ligaments. The present study was undertaken on 48 fetal femurs to calculate the NSA and FNA in fetuses digitally. End on images of upper end of the femurs were taken for the estimation of FNA and a photograph in a perpendicular plane was taken to calculate the NSA. Microsoft Paint software was used to mark the points and Image J software was used to calculate the angles digitally. The FNA ranged from 17.08º to 33.97 º on right and 17.32 º to 45.08 º on left. The NSA ranged from 139.33 º to 124.91 º on right and 143.98 º to 123.8 º on left. Unpaired t test showed the FNA and NSA of femur did not vary significantly during the third trimester.