Fetal Anatomy: Morphometry of Vertebral Canal and Spinal Cord of Cervical Region in Human Fetuses

Background: Fetal anatomy is now becoming popular with advancement in fetal surgery in-utero. The knowledge regarding the embryonic development of vertebral canal plays an important role in diagnosis of congenital anomalies as well as fetal surgeries of the vertebral canal. Methods: Sixty fetuses which were preserved in 10% formalin were divided into five groups according to the gestational age. Spinal cord was exposed by opening vertebral canal from behind by laminectomy. The parameters like length of cervical part of vertebral canal, transverse diameter of canal at different vertebral levels, transverse and antero-posterior diameter of spinal cord were measured. Results: All parameters of cervical vertebral canal i.e. length of vertebral canal, transverse diameters at different vertebral levels exhibited a stable but variable rate of growth with advancing gestational age. Similarly, the parameters of spinal cord, antero-posterior and transverse diameters of spinal cord at upper, middle and lower vertebral levels revealed similar growth pattern with increasing gestational age. Conclusion: These measurements prove to be helpful in deciding the age of the fetus, early diagnosis of congenital disease and in utero fetal surgeries.