Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Human Fetal Blood Flow Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Motion Compensation
Published on: January 7, 2021
The normal growth of the pulmonary trunk in human foetuses
1Department of Normal Anatomy, the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, the Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. kizanat@cm.umk.pl
Abstract:
The rate of growth of the pulmonary trunk during gestation has not been sufficiently determined. The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks in order to compile normative data for pulmonary trunk dimensions at various gestational ages. With the use of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (the Leica QWin Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis) a range of measurements (length, diameter and volume) was analysed for the pulmonary trunk during gestation. No significant gender differences were found (p>0.05). Growth curves were generated of the best fit for the plot for each morphometric feature against gestational age. The results obtained show a statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) between the parameters examined and gestational age. Both the length and diameter of the pulmonary trunk were found to increase in a linear fashion throughout gestation. The length ranged from 3.17+/-0.36 mm to 13.54+/-1.39 mm, according to the linear function y=-5.6035+0.5705x+/-0.9171 (r=0.96). The diameter ranged from 1.51+/-0.24 mm to 5.30+/-1.53 mm, according to the linear model y=-1.4813+0.2154x+/-0.7452 (r=0.86). The pulmonary trunk volume ranged from 5.94+/-2.21 mm3 to 312.37+/-154.34 mm3, according to the quadratic function y=143.2-20.961x+0.791x2+/-63.306 (R2=0.74). The growth curves generated from my data may be useful as a reference for foetal echocardiographers in the detection of congenital cardiovascular abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Overview of Pulmonary Circulation
The process begins with the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk. This large vessel extends about 5 centimeters before splitting into the left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries...
Thoracic Aorta
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...

