Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-12-01
Foetal development of the pancreas
K. Desdicioglu, M.A. Malas, E.H. Evcil
Folia Morphol 2010;69(4):216-224.
Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-12-01
Abstract
In the present study, we aimed to gather morphometric data on the localisation
and development of the pancreas during the foetal period. The study was
carried out on 222 human foetuses aged 9-40 weeks of gestation with no
external pathology or anomaly. The abdominal wall was dissected after general
external measurements of the foetuses were carried out. Data on the localisation
of the pancreas in the abdominal cavity and its localisation relative to
the median plane, xiphoid process, and umbilicus were acquired and various
morphometric parameters including the length of the pancreas and heights of
the head and body of the pancreas were measured. It was found that, in the
foetal period, the foetal pancreas was primarily accumulated on the transverse
plane passing through the umbilicus, and on the other quadrants. Means and
standard deviations of all morphometric parameters were calculated for each
gestational week, month, and trimester. There were significant relations between
the parameters and gestational age (p < 0.001). There were no differences
in any of the parameters between sexes (p > 0.05). In conclusion, morphometric
and location data on foetal pancreases acquired in the present study
will contribute to other studies carried out in obstetrics, perinatology, forensic
medicine, and foetal pathology departments, aimed at identifying anomalies,
pathologies, and variations of the pancreas and treatment of such cases. (Folia
Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 216-224)
Abstract
In the present study, we aimed to gather morphometric data on the localisation
and development of the pancreas during the foetal period. The study was
carried out on 222 human foetuses aged 9-40 weeks of gestation with no
external pathology or anomaly. The abdominal wall was dissected after general
external measurements of the foetuses were carried out. Data on the localisation
of the pancreas in the abdominal cavity and its localisation relative to
the median plane, xiphoid process, and umbilicus were acquired and various
morphometric parameters including the length of the pancreas and heights of
the head and body of the pancreas were measured. It was found that, in the
foetal period, the foetal pancreas was primarily accumulated on the transverse
plane passing through the umbilicus, and on the other quadrants. Means and
standard deviations of all morphometric parameters were calculated for each
gestational week, month, and trimester. There were significant relations between
the parameters and gestational age (p < 0.001). There were no differences
in any of the parameters between sexes (p > 0.05). In conclusion, morphometric
and location data on foetal pancreases acquired in the present study
will contribute to other studies carried out in obstetrics, perinatology, forensic
medicine, and foetal pathology departments, aimed at identifying anomalies,
pathologies, and variations of the pancreas and treatment of such cases. (Folia
Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 216-224)
Keywords
pancreas; morphometry; developmental anatomy; foetal period; human foetus
Title
Foetal development of the pancreas
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
Article type
Original article
Pages
216-224
Published online
2010-12-01
Page views
577
Article views/downloads
1170
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2010;69(4):216-224.
Keywords
pancreas
morphometry
developmental anatomy
foetal period
human foetus
Authors
K. Desdicioglu
M.A. Malas
E.H. Evcil
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