title: Some features of the developmental uterus in human fetuses.
abstract: Proper development of each component of the reproductive tract is imperative for successful natural reproduction. The aim was to investigate some morphological features of the fetal uterus in early phases of its development. The uteruses of 65 fetuses of different gestational age were included and each of them was measured in three dimensions: uterine length (UL), uterine width (BC) and the antero-posterior (sagittal) thickness of the uterine fundus (FT) using ImageJ computer program. It was observed that the most intense fetal uterus growth occurred between seventh and eighth month of gestational age (between week 25 and 31). The most intense rate of uterine growth had UL and it showed steeper growth curve from the fourth month of gestational age. The values of UL, BC, FT showed statistically highly positive Pearson's linear correlation with values of CRL, and GA, and among themselves. The strongest correlation was between UL and gestational age. Contrary to proved rising linear trends of UL/FT and UL/BC, BC/FT performed linear trend of decline. However, two divergent linear trends, one ascending (UL/FT), and other declining (BC/FT) have similar descent in values during the early gestational age, from week 12 to 15. Fetal uteruses did not grow at the same rate by all three measured dimensions, and each of measured dimensions has noticeable standard deviations during gestational periods, even with a resolution of a week, suggesting individuality of each human development/growth even during prenatal life.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Gynecologic Oncology and Minimally Invasive & Robotic Gynecological Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, Academic Affiliates of Columbia University, College of Physician and Surgeons , New York, NY , USA .
authors.forename: Ana G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Mrkaić
authors.forename: Aleksandar S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Farr R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nezhat
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trandafilović
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vlajković
authors.forename: Ljiljana P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Vasović
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D014599:Uterus / Q000196:embryology*
keywords: Gestational age; human female fetus; morphometry; statistical analysis; uterus