The morphometric development of the fetal larynx during the fetal period.
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.
Cicekcibasi
Aynur Emine
AE
Department of Anatomy, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, 42080 Konya, Turkey. aynurcicekcibasi@yahoo.com.tr
Keles
Bahar
B
Uyar
Mehmet
M
D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000196:embryology*; D008297:Male; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000196:embryology