Morphometric study of the ossification centers of the presphenoid and basisphenoid parts of the sphenoid body in the human fetus

Abstract

Abstract Purposes Understanding the growth and development of the sphenoid bone is crucial in assessing the normal and pathological development of the cranium. The aim of the present study was to examine the growth dynamics of the primary ossification centers of the sphenoid body in the human fetus, based on their linear, planar and volumetric parameters. Material and Methods The examinations were carried out on 37 human fetuses of both sexes (16 males and 21 females) aged 18–30 weeks of gestation, which were preserved in 10% neutral formalin solution. Using CT, digital image analysis software, 3D reconstruction and statistical methods, we evaluated the size of the primary ossification centers of the sphenoid bone. Results The morphometric characteristics of the primary ossification centers of the presphenoid and basisphenoid of the sphenoid body display no sex differences. These ossification centers grow linearly with respect to their sagittal diameter, projection surface area and volume for the presphenoid part and with respect to volume for the basisphenoid part, and logarithmically regarding the transverse diameter for the presphenoid part, as well as the sagittal and transverse diameters and projection surface area for the basisphenoid part. Conclusions The numerical findings associated with the primary ossification centers of the sphenoid body may be considered as age-related normative data of clinical relevance in the estimation of gestational ages and the diagnostics of congenital defects.