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Morphological and morphometric study on sphenoid and basioccipital ossification in normal human fetuses
Qinghua Zhang1, Hui Wang, Jun Udagawa
1Department of Developmental Biology, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan.
Congenital Anomalies
|August 19, 2011
Summary
This study reveals variations in human fetal cranial base ossification, particularly in the basisphenoid, impacting orbitosphenoid and basisphenoid widths. These findings offer insights into normal fetal development and potential anomaly diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Anatomy
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Congenital brain anomalies often correlate with cranial base abnormalities.
- Accurate diagnosis requires detailed knowledge of cranial base morphology and developmental variations.
- Existing imaging techniques have limitations in studying fetal cranial base development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate normal human fetal cranial base development using bone staining.
- To analyze ossification patterns and measure specific cranial base structures.
- To identify relationships between cranial base development and fetal brain structures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized alizarin red S staining on formalin-fixed human fetal specimens (n=22, CRL 115-175 mm).
- Defined landmarks and performed precise 3D measurements of sphenoids and basiocciputs using calipers.
- Measured cerebrum and pons in a separate fetal cohort (n=22, CRL 105-186 mm).
Main Results:
- Documented growth patterns and individual variations in fetal cranial base ossification.
- Identified distinct single- and double-ossification center patterns in the basisphenoid.
- Observed significant differences in orbitosphenoid and basisphenoid widths between ossification pattern groups.
Conclusions:
- Bone staining provides direct observation of ossification centers for precise fetal cranial base analysis.
- Variations in basisphenoid ossification influence specific cranial base measurements.
- Established correlations between fetal cranial base development and brain structure growth.
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