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Diameters of the human fetal pelvis. Preliminary report

B Kroczek-Grzadzielska1, L Sobocińska-Bzdega

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Academy of Medicine, Poznań.

Folia Morphologica
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Pelvic diameters increase with fetal development. Sex differences in fetal pelvis size are observable as early as 13 weeks gestation.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Embryology
  • Fetal Development

Background:

  • Understanding fetal pelvic development is crucial for obstetrics and gynecology.
  • Pelvic morphology influences birth outcomes and requires detailed study during gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the growth patterns of fetal pelvic diameters.
  • To identify the earliest gestational age at which sexual dimorphism in pelvic dimensions becomes apparent.

Main Methods:

  • Measurements of multiple pelvic diameters were performed on 70 human fetuses.
  • The fetuses ranged in age from 13 to 28 weeks of gestation.

Main Results:

  • All measured pelvic diameters showed a significant increase with advancing gestational age.
  • Distinct sex-based differences in pelvic size were detectable from the 13th week of gestation.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal pelvic dimensions grow progressively throughout the second trimester.
  • Sexual differentiation of the pelvis begins early in fetal development, by the 13th week.

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