Development of the human hypoglossal nucleus: a morphometric study.
Development of the human hypoglossal nucleus was studied using complete serial sections of the brains of 9 fetuses at 16, 18, 21, 23, 27, 32, 33, 35 and 40 weeks of gestation, a 2-month-old infant, a 16-year-old adolescent and a 63-year-old adult. Morphometric analysis produced the following three findings pertaining to the development of the human hypoglossal nucleus: (1) development may accelerate after 32 weeks of gestation; (2) postnatal maturation is observable, and (3) natural cell death, as indicated by a decrease in the number of neurons and the appearance of degenerating neurons, may occur during fetal development.
Department of Pediatrics, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Nara
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Goto
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Yamaguchi
D000293:Adolescent; D002470:Cell Survival; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve; D007223:Infant; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology