Quantitative anatomy of the growing iliacus muscle in the human fetus - an anatomical, digital and statistical study.

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate the growth of the iliacus muscle in human fetuses. Using anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (NIS Elements AR 3.0), the volumetric hydrostatic method, and statistical analysis (Student's t-test, regression analysis), we assessed five direct morphometric parameters of the iliacus in 67 human fetuses of both sexes (31 male, 36 female) aged 16-28 weeks of gestation. No significant differences were found between males and females, or between right and left sides, in the measured parameters of the growing iliacus. All linear dimensions (i.e., length and widths) increased according to a logarithmic model, whereas the projected surface area and volume followed a linear growth pattern. The numerical data regarding the iliacus obtained in the present study may be useful in assessing both the skeletal system and fetal development, with potential relevance in surgery.