open access

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2021-09-28
Accepted: 2021-10-06
Published online: 2021-11-05
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Quantitative anatomy of primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in the human foetus

M. Grzonkowska1, M. Baumgart1, M. Badura1, M. Wiśniewski1, J. Lisiecki1, M. Szpinda1
·
Pubmed: 34750804
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):895-903.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Normal Anatomy, the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

open access

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2021-09-28
Accepted: 2021-10-06
Published online: 2021-11-05

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT)-based quantitative analysis of primary ossification centres in the cranium has not been carried out to date due to the limited availability of the foetal human material. Detailed morphometric data about the development of primary ossification centres in human foetuses may be useful in the early detection of developmental defects. Understanding the growth and development of the occipital bone is crucial in assessing the normal and pathological development of the cranial base, and the cranium as a whole.
Materials and methods: The study material comprised 37 human foetuses (16 males and 21 females) aged 18–30 weeks of gestation. Using CT, digital image analysis software, three-dimensional reconstruction and statistical methods, the size of the primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone was evaluated.
Results: The morphometric characteristics of primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone display neither sex nor laterality differences. These ossification centres grow linearly with respect to their sagittal and transverse diameters, projection surface area and volume.
Conclusions: The obtained morphometric data of primary ossification centres in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone may be considered as normative for their respective prenatal weeks and may contribute to the estimation of gestational ages and the diagnostics of congenital defects.

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT)-based quantitative analysis of primary ossification centres in the cranium has not been carried out to date due to the limited availability of the foetal human material. Detailed morphometric data about the development of primary ossification centres in human foetuses may be useful in the early detection of developmental defects. Understanding the growth and development of the occipital bone is crucial in assessing the normal and pathological development of the cranial base, and the cranium as a whole.
Materials and methods: The study material comprised 37 human foetuses (16 males and 21 females) aged 18–30 weeks of gestation. Using CT, digital image analysis software, three-dimensional reconstruction and statistical methods, the size of the primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone was evaluated.
Results: The morphometric characteristics of primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone display neither sex nor laterality differences. These ossification centres grow linearly with respect to their sagittal and transverse diameters, projection surface area and volume.
Conclusions: The obtained morphometric data of primary ossification centres in the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone may be considered as normative for their respective prenatal weeks and may contribute to the estimation of gestational ages and the diagnostics of congenital defects.

Get Citation

Keywords

occipital bone, bone development, osteogenesis, foetal development

About this article
Title

Quantitative anatomy of primary ossification centres of the lateral and basilar parts of the occipital bone in the human foetus

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

895-903

Published online

2021-11-05

Page views

6578

Article views/downloads

606

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2021.0115

Pubmed

34750804

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):895-903.

Keywords

occipital bone
bone development
osteogenesis
foetal development

Authors

M. Grzonkowska
M. Baumgart
M. Badura
M. Wiśniewski
J. Lisiecki
M. Szpinda

References (13)
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