title: The morphometric development of the fetal larynx during the fetal period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate morphometric growth patterns of the cartilaginous components and vocal cords in human fetal larynx.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed in the Anatomy Department of Meram Medicine Faculty in 2007. The fetuses were obtained from the Gynaecology Department of the Meram Medicine Faculty of Selcuk University, and Dr. Faruk Sükan Maternity Hospital (Konya, Turkey). Forty spontaneously aborted fetuses (25 males and 15 females) without detectable malformations were evaluated. The dimensions of the larynx and its cartilaginous components were measured and the relationship between the obtained data was statistically assessed with Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correlations were found between the cartilaginous components, size of the larynx, and gestational age. No gender differences were identified. The anatomical variations in the epiglottis cartilage dimensions and types were found in 15% of cases. The foramen thyroideum was observed in 12.5% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data of this study may contribute to the knowledge of the fetal larynx regarding laryngomalacia.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, 42080 Konya, Turkey. aynurcicekcibasi@yahoo.com.tr
authors: Aynur Emine
authors: AE
authors: Cicekcibasi
authors: Bahar
authors: B
authors: Keles
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Uyar
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000196:embryology*; D008297:Male; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000196:embryology